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2018•Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIERequires access

The James Webb Space Telescope: Observatory Status and Preparations for Launch

Michael W. McElwain, M. B. Niedner, Chuck Bowers, Randy A. Kimble, Erin C. Smith, Mark Clampin

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Abstract

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is a large (6.5 meter) segmented aperture telescope equipped with near- and mid-infrared instruments (0.6-28 microns), all of which are passively cooled to approximately 40 degrees Kelvin by a 5-layer sunshield while the mid-infrared instrument is actively cooled to 7 degrees Kelvin. The JWST telescope recently completed its cryogenic test program and the sunshield has been fully integrated and deployed. JWST is currently in the final stages of the test program at the Observatory level. The current estimated JWST performance metrics will be presented, such as the image quality, pointing stability, sensitivity, and stray light backgrounds. The JWST development status and future plans will be described for the final testing, launch, and commissioning.

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What this paper is about

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is a large (6.5 meter) segmented aperture telescope equipped with near- and mid-infrared instruments (0.6-28 microns), all of which are passively cooled to approximately 40 degrees Kelvin by a 5-layer sunshield while the mid-infrared instrument is actively cooled to 7 degrees Kelvin. The JWST telescope recently completed its cryogenic test program and the sunshield has been fully integrated and deployed. JWST is currently in the final stages of the test program at the Observatory level. The current estimated JWST performance metrics will be presented, such as the image quality, pointing stability, sensitivity, and stray light backgrounds. The JWST development status and future plans will be described for the final testing, launch, and commissioning.

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Available abstract

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is a large (6.5 meter) segmented aperture telescope equipped with near- and mid-infrared instruments (0.6-28 microns), all of which are passively cooled to approximately 40 degrees Kelvin by a 5-layer sunshield while the mid-infrared instrument is actively cooled to 7 degrees Kelvin. The JWST telescope recently completed its cryogenic test program and the sunshield has been fully integrated and deployed. JWST is currently in the final stages of the test program at the Observatory level. The current estimated JWST performance metrics will be presented, such as the image quality, pointing stability, sensitivity, and stray light backgrounds. The JWST development status and future plans will be described for the final testing, launch, and commissioning.

Key concepts: James Webb Space Telescope, Observatory, Telescope, Physics, Spitzer Space Telescope, Stray light, Remote sensing, Aperture (computer memory)

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