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James Webb Space Telescope Sunshield Successfully Deployed
Today the team in charge of operations for James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has announced that all layers of the sunshield have been successfully deployed. This was one of the most important, and nerve-wracking steps JWST had to take in order to be fully operational.
Necessary for successful operations
Without the sunshield, James Webb Space Telescope would not be able to operate. In addition to blocking out sunlight that might interfere with data collection, the sunshield also plays a critical role in maintaining the temperature required for JWST to function properly. The first layer facing towards the sun will be approximately 230 degrees Fahrenheit. The telescope itself will need to be below -370 degrees Fahrenheit in order to operate.
Hard to deploy
James Webb Space Telescope will use a sunshield consisting of 5 layers to keep itself cool. The layers are all extremely thin, making it easy for something to tear. Layer 1, which will be the layer facing the sun, is only 0.05 millimeters thick (0.002 inches). Each layer after layer 1 is even thinner. They are also designed in a curved shape, each layer getting slightly smaller than the previous as they get closer to the telescope itself.
