The James Webb Space Telescope was sustained inside the payload preparation center at Europes Spaceport in French Guiana ahead of its launch on Ariane 5. Credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace
In preparation for launch later this month, ground groups have actually effectively finished the delicate operation of filling the James Webb Space Telescope with the propellant it will use to steer itself while in area.
In order to make important course corrections shortly after launch, to preserve its prescribed orbit almost 1 million miles from Earth, and to repoint the observatory and manage its momentum throughout operations, Webb was built with a total of 12 rocket thrusters. These rocket thrusters utilize either hydrazine fuel or an unique mix of hydrazine fuel and dinitrogen tetroxide oxidizer.
To safely handle these very hazardous propellants, Webb was relocated to the fueling area of the Ariane payload preparation facility at Europes Spaceport in French Guiana. Professionals used Self-Contained Atmospheric Protective Ensemble, or “SCAPE,” matches while packing the observatory. The nearly 10-day treatment began November 25.
By NASA
December 11, 2021
Webbs spacecraft bus, built by Northrop Grumman, was filled with 369 pounds (168 kgs) of hydrazine fuel and 292 pounds (133 kgs) of dinitrogen tetroxide oxidizer. Both fuel and oxidizer will be utilized together to optimize power for the greatest “burns” by Webbs Secondary Combustion Augmented Thrusters, which are for mid-course corrections and placing into L2 orbit, as well as for orbit upkeep around L2 during the objective. Hydrazine alone will be used for the small “burns” by Webbs small accuracy Monopropellant Reaction Engine thrusters, which are used for large-angle repointing and for handling spacecraft momentum.
Webbs spacecraft bus, developed by Northrop Grumman, was filled with 369 pounds (168 kgs) of hydrazine fuel and 292 pounds (133 kgs) of dinitrogen tetroxide oxidizer. Both fuel and oxidizer will be used together to optimize power for the biggest “burns” by Webbs Secondary Combustion Augmented Thrusters, which are for mid-course corrections and inserting into L2 orbit, as well as for orbit maintenance around L2 during the mission.
Combined operations in between the Arianespace and NASA teams preparing Webb and its Ariane 5 rocket are now set to begin. The next big turning points for the joint groups will be to move Webb to the Bâtiment dAssemblage Final (BAF), or Final Assembly Building; location it atop its rocket; and encapsulate it inside its protective fairing. With final closeouts complete, the full stack of rocket and payload atop its mobile launch platform will be presented of the BAF to the launch pad, two days before its scheduled December 22 launch.