NASA’s Roman Space Telescope has reached a major development milestone. One of its key subsystems successfully passed a rigorous thermal vacuum test, bringing the mission one step closer to launch.
Thermal Vacuum Test Passed
The completed test involved the outer barrel assembly, the deployable aperture cover, and test solar panels. This half of the telescope was placed in NASA Goddard’s Space Environment Simulator, where it was exposed to the harsh temperature swings of space. In conclusion These conditions mimic the real environment Roman will face after launch.
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Next Steps in Assembly
Now that the thermal test is complete, the team will attach the actual flight solar panels and sunshield. These additions will be followed by vibration or “shake” tests to ensure the structure can endure the launch phase. “We’re now preparing to connect this section with the rest of the observatory,” said Jack Marshall, who leads the integration efforts at NASA Goddard.
Testing the Other Half
Meanwhile, the second half of the observatory — which includes the telescope, instrument carrier, and two instruments — is undergoing its own testing. It will also go through a shake test and thermal vacuum exposure. These steps ensure that all systems will function together without error, even under extreme solar and vacuum conditions.
Keeping Instruments Stable
Thermal balance is critical. “These tests verify the instruments will stay within safe temperature ranges despite the Sun heating one side and space freezing the other,” said Jeremy Perkins, an astrophysicist at NASA Goddard. This stability is vital for collecting accurate scientific data.
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