 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| . |  |
. |
Northrop Grumman Conducts Tests on Webb Telescope Sunshield Model To Verify Design
Redondo Beach CA (SPX) Nov 02, 2006 Northrop Grumman Corporation is conducting tests on a newly constructed full-scale evolutionary pathfinder of the James Webb Space Telescope's (JWST) sunshield to verify its design concept and deployment techniques. Testing, including folding and deployment trials, will continue through next year The five-layer sunshield consists of thin membranes made from a polymer-based film and supporting equipment such as spreader bars, booms, cabling, and containment shells. Designed to block solar light and keep the Observatory operating at cryogenic temperatures, the sunshield will help enable the Webb Telescope's infrared sensors to see distant galaxies, early stars and planetary systems, and help astronomers better understand dark matter. "We've developed pathfinders, engineering models and test articles for many of the Webb Telescope's systems to better understand their performance and reduce program risk," said Martin Mohan, Northrop Grumman Space Technology's JWST program manager. "Our acquisition strategy is to complete development of high risk items early in the program, so that we minimize challenges when we build and test the actual flight hardware." A pathfinder is critical to verify analytical modeling assumptions, because it is difficult to predict the behavior of the flexible thin film using only computer-aided design tools. Measuring 40 feet by 65 feet, the sunshield is very large, and details such as cabling tension, surface figure and folding methods require testing on a full-size model. The sunshield pathfinder is the latest in a series of engineering models built by Northrop Grumman and its JWST team to reduce risk on the program. Other pathfinders built for the Webb Telescope include a telescope test bed; full, half and one-third scale models of the Observatory; a mirror segment engineering development unit and backplane test article. Northrop Grumman is the prime contractor for Webb Telescope, leading the design and development effort under contract to NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. Related Links Northrop Grumman Stellar Chemistry, The Universe And All Within It
Mikulski Applauds Hubble Announcement, Says Decision Is Right For America
Washington DC (SPX) Nov 02, 2006Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) joined the staff at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. in celebrating NASA Administrator Michael Griffin's announcement that there will be a critical space shuttle mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope. |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
