After this burn, no key milestones are time critical, so the order, place, timing, and period of deployments may alter.
NASA has an in-depth strategy to deploy the Webb Space Telescope over an approximately two-week period.The implementation process is not an automatic hands-off series; it is human-controlled. The group monitors Webb in real-time and may pause the small deployment at any time.
NASA has a comprehensive plan to deploy the Webb Space Telescope over an approximately two-week period.The release procedure is not an automated hands-off sequence; it is human-controlled. The group keeps track of Webb in real-time and might stop briefly the small implementation at any time. This means that the deployments might not happen exactly in the order or at the times initially planned.
At 7:50 pm EST, on December 25, 2021, the James Webb Space Telescope started its first course correction burn to change its trajectory toward its last orbit. Credit: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
At 7:50 pm EST, Webbs first mid-course correction burn started. It lasted 65 minutes and is now total. This burn is one of 2 turning points that are time important — the first was the solar variety deployment, which took place quickly after launch..
This burn changes Webbs trajectory towards the second Lagrange point, commonly referred to as L2. After launch, Webb requires to make its own mid-course thrust correction maneuvers to get to its orbit. This is by design: Webb got an intentional small under-burn from the Ariane-5 that released it into area, since its not possible to correct for overthrust. If Webb gets excessive thrust, it cant reverse to move back toward Earth because that would directly expose its telescope optics and structure to the Sun, overheating them and aborting the science mission before it can even begin.. We alleviate up to the proper velocity in 3 stages, being cautious never ever to deliver too much thrust– there will be 3 mid-course correction maneuvers in overall..
By NASA
December 25, 2021
