Deployment Timeline Adjusted as Team Focuses on Observatory Operations
blogs.nasa.gov/webb/2022/01/02/deployment-tim...
blogs.nasa.govPosted Jan 2, 2022, 6:29 PM UTC
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blogs.nasa.govThe team has “decided to focus today on optimizing Webb’s power systems while learning more about how the observatory behaves in space” … Hmm, I wonder if some of Webb’s system have behaved unexpectedly, thus warranting a pause. Hopefully everything is OK.
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If this were so certain to be useful they probably would have built in this time to the schedule instead of announcing it suddenly. Hopefully everything is alright. There's a lot of PR double speak in this statement. :-/
The most critical step is next....tensioning the sun shield. If it goes even a little wrong or tears the whole thing is fucked. Each piece is thick as a human hair....seems so fragile. Hopefully they are just doing sue diligence.
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the Webb team has decided to focus today on optimizing Webb’s power systems while learning more about how the observatory behaves in space.
I hope that isn't code for, "some of the tensioning motors aren't working so we need to figure out how to get more juice to them."
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Yeah they later mention the motor temperature as if that may be presenting some issue.
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The vague terminology is very concerning. To say that they are “Optimizing Webb’s power systems” infers they are not optimum now.
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The whole thing seems to read like they have discovered issues that they're trying to fix before they continue. Specifically I am wondering if there is a temperature issue with the tensioning motors.
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I wonder how the motors would change so much based on temperature. Like the motors are frozen or they are moving too slow Bc they are cold?
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I've always wondered this, and I know there are genius working on this who have done their for their whole careers, but it's amazing to me that this was the best path forward. Specifically, a system with so many points of failure.
I would love to read something on how it had to be this way. It seems like once you get to 300 points of failure and a process that basically reduces too "Well we need to unfurl these incredible fragile and unpredictable foil banners, hope it works!", you start looking at other ways?
Is this the only way we know how to make a sunshield this good? Was this just a side effect of being in development for so long? I assume there is no reasonable way to send something up in space already assembled fully?
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I was thinking something similar and I invite anyone to shoot me down; but I was speculating of a system where the telescope and sunshield would be two seperate modules; send the sunshield up; unfold it, and when succesfull send up the telescope and let them hook up.
But this will be mega difficult from other perspectives... but it would give a chance for second chances...
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I like the idea, and I imagine at some point somewhere there argued for this approach. As a guy who barely qualifies as “lay person” on this stuff, I would wonder about the fuel needed at location to maneuver two different pieces at the same time so they line up for attachment. I’d also worry about double the launches doubling chance of failure. 😃
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I have to wonder if SpaceX Starship if it were ready, could just launch a fully assembled JWST.
It was folded so it could fit in existing rockets.
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Yes but it’s years away the dimensions inside starship sr ehugeeee and it can carry 100 tons
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I wish they were as honest with us when things go wrong as they are when things go right.
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This sub's response to this news has been beyond disappointing. They've said from the beginning that the deployment schedule has room in it in case things need to be moved around, which is exactly what they've done. There's no reason whatsoever to suggest there's cause for any concern, yet every single comment is filled to the brim with pure panic. Can we stop, please?
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Take a deep breath! Grab your towel! Don't panic!
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I agree that this sounds a bit concerning but I choose to believe NASA is taking it slow here out of an abundance of caution and not because there is a serious issue with the Webb. They have to get this right and there is no reason at all to rush things. It'll be fine.
Not to mention it's the Sunday after New Year's. Took the day off yesterday due to the delays in sunshield unfolding. Use today to do some analysis or look into some odd readings and get back to work on Monday. No matter what, we'll find out more in the coming day or two.
Could it be that they are getting odd temp readings indicative of a tear and so they are trying to figure this out?