May 3, 2024

Things are getting tense for NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, literally

With Webb being so new to space– the $10 billion observatory just launched on Dec. 25– the tensioning was postponed by two days as engineers took a break for the New Years Day vacation on Saturday (Jan. 1) and worked through couple of small issues on Sunday. A graphic depicts the James Webb Space Telescope with its sunshield unfurled. An animation reveals the last prepared orbit of the James Webb Space Telescope around Lagrange point 2, or L2.

With Webb being so new to area– the $10 billion observatory only introduced on Dec. 25– the tensioning was delayed by 2 days as engineers took a break for the New Years Day vacation on Saturday (Jan. 1) and worked through couple of minor concerns on Sunday.”Were not shocked,” Bill Ochs, Webb task manager at NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center, said of the delay throughout a phone call with press reporters Monday.”Live updates: NASAs James Webb Space Telescope mission Related: How the James Webb Space Telescope works in picturesEngineers are now tensioning the first layer of the sunshield, which will continue through Monday if that goes to plan. A graphic illustrates the James Webb Space Telescope with its sunshield unfurled. The simulations showed all were well.Ochs emphasized that the concerns during implementation were all within the variety of the expected, as Webb is just extending its legs in space.