A festive gift to astronomers: James Webb Space Telescope may launch this Xmas Eve after data cable fix
(2021/12/17)
- Reference: 1639697771
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2021/12/16/jwst_launch_slip/
- Source link:
The launch of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) slipped to not earlier than December 24 as engineers investigated and today fixed up a communications problem on board the booster and spacecraft combo.
During a briefing earlier today, ESA and NASA representatives – including the US space agency's Science Mission Directorate Associate Administrator, Thomas Zurbuchen – extolled the scientific potential of the immensely over-budget and [1]hugely delayed observatory, currently perched atop an Ariane 5 rocket at ArianeSpace's French Guiana facility.
And it was during this briefing that the communications gremlin that resulted in the date for the launch moving from December 22 to "not earlier than" Christmas Eve was discussed.
[2]
At the heart of the problem was a data cable used in an [3]aliveness test that confirms systems are working and talking to each other as expected. This test must be cleared before the telescope can be encapsulated prior to launch. Zurbuchen told attendees he was optimistic the issue had been solved, however work would not proceed until after a decision was taken at 1800 ET.
[4]
[5]
Well, it's gone 6pm on the US East Coast and Zurbuchen says the cable problem has been sorted out, and the launch is on track for December 24, though we're awaiting a final confirmation that won't come until sometime Friday:
Just in from the Webb launch site: The team has fixed the connection issue and [6]@NASAWebb is in the midst of its final scheduled aliveness test before launch. We’ll provide an additional update on the status of encapsulation and the launch date tomorrow. [7]pic.twitter.com/ehFVzfeeCI — Thomas Zurbuchen (@Dr_ThomasZ) [8]December 16, 2021
Once the 'scope is encapsulated things should move at a more normal pace toward launch, although Zurbuchen joked earlier that nothing was routine when it came to the James Webb Space Telescope.
It is fair to say that nerves are stretched taut as the days count down toward the launch. The Ariane 5 has proven to be a reliable workhorse over the years and the observatory itself has been through thorough testing. What could possibly go wrong?
One possibility cropped up via the medium of an imaginatively altered [9]publicity shot originally showing the telescope being hoisted into the air ready for attachment to its Ariane 5.
Oh no, our space telescope, it’s broken [10]pic.twitter.com/njxGLkCr4B — Catherine is shitposting about JWST (@CatieSlaughts) [11]December 15, 2021
We should also make it clear that Catherine was not the originator of the image above. It has, however, been doing the rounds within at least one space agency. A bit of gallows humor for the scientists concerned, we'd wager.
As part of the international agreements behind the JWST, ESA is providing launch services. After decades of development, it is completely understandable that engineers wish to leave nothing to chance. At least as far as is possible.
[12]
After the years of delay incurred so far, what is a few more days? ®
Get our [13]Tech Resources
[1] https://www.theregister.com/2021/11/29/jwst_launch_date/
[2] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2YbwZg1eBk5ca5HZ-dyFrsAAAAJM&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[3] https://twitter.com/Dr_ThomasZ/status/1471614840028471301
[4] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44YbwZg1eBk5ca5HZ-dyFrsAAAAJM&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[5] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33YbwZg1eBk5ca5HZ-dyFrsAAAAJM&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[6] https://twitter.com/NASAWebb?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
[7] https://t.co/ehFVzfeeCI
[8] https://twitter.com/Dr_ThomasZ/status/1471607592338214918?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
[9] https://twitter.com/NASAWebb/status/1470785930785140757
[10] https://t.co/njxGLkCr4B
[11] https://twitter.com/CatieSlaughts/status/1471092919654359040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
[12] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44YbwZg1eBk5ca5HZ-dyFrsAAAAJM&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[13] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
During a briefing earlier today, ESA and NASA representatives – including the US space agency's Science Mission Directorate Associate Administrator, Thomas Zurbuchen – extolled the scientific potential of the immensely over-budget and [1]hugely delayed observatory, currently perched atop an Ariane 5 rocket at ArianeSpace's French Guiana facility.
And it was during this briefing that the communications gremlin that resulted in the date for the launch moving from December 22 to "not earlier than" Christmas Eve was discussed.
[2]
At the heart of the problem was a data cable used in an [3]aliveness test that confirms systems are working and talking to each other as expected. This test must be cleared before the telescope can be encapsulated prior to launch. Zurbuchen told attendees he was optimistic the issue had been solved, however work would not proceed until after a decision was taken at 1800 ET.
[4]
[5]
Well, it's gone 6pm on the US East Coast and Zurbuchen says the cable problem has been sorted out, and the launch is on track for December 24, though we're awaiting a final confirmation that won't come until sometime Friday:
Just in from the Webb launch site: The team has fixed the connection issue and [6]@NASAWebb is in the midst of its final scheduled aliveness test before launch. We’ll provide an additional update on the status of encapsulation and the launch date tomorrow. [7]pic.twitter.com/ehFVzfeeCI — Thomas Zurbuchen (@Dr_ThomasZ) [8]December 16, 2021
Once the 'scope is encapsulated things should move at a more normal pace toward launch, although Zurbuchen joked earlier that nothing was routine when it came to the James Webb Space Telescope.
It is fair to say that nerves are stretched taut as the days count down toward the launch. The Ariane 5 has proven to be a reliable workhorse over the years and the observatory itself has been through thorough testing. What could possibly go wrong?
One possibility cropped up via the medium of an imaginatively altered [9]publicity shot originally showing the telescope being hoisted into the air ready for attachment to its Ariane 5.
Oh no, our space telescope, it’s broken [10]pic.twitter.com/njxGLkCr4B — Catherine is shitposting about JWST (@CatieSlaughts) [11]December 15, 2021
We should also make it clear that Catherine was not the originator of the image above. It has, however, been doing the rounds within at least one space agency. A bit of gallows humor for the scientists concerned, we'd wager.
As part of the international agreements behind the JWST, ESA is providing launch services. After decades of development, it is completely understandable that engineers wish to leave nothing to chance. At least as far as is possible.
[12]
After the years of delay incurred so far, what is a few more days? ®
Get our [13]Tech Resources
[1] https://www.theregister.com/2021/11/29/jwst_launch_date/
[2] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2YbwZg1eBk5ca5HZ-dyFrsAAAAJM&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[3] https://twitter.com/Dr_ThomasZ/status/1471614840028471301
[4] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44YbwZg1eBk5ca5HZ-dyFrsAAAAJM&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[5] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33YbwZg1eBk5ca5HZ-dyFrsAAAAJM&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[6] https://twitter.com/NASAWebb?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
[7] https://t.co/ehFVzfeeCI
[8] https://twitter.com/Dr_ThomasZ/status/1471607592338214918?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
[9] https://twitter.com/NASAWebb/status/1470785930785140757
[10] https://t.co/njxGLkCr4B
[11] https://twitter.com/CatieSlaughts/status/1471092919654359040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
[12] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44YbwZg1eBk5ca5HZ-dyFrsAAAAJM&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[13] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Flocke Kroes
Scott Manley already burst that bubble. He said that the JWT launching on schedule is just a pretty story we tell to children so in reality there is no chance of a collision with Santa.
They should have asked me
HildyJ
I'm a PC pack rat. I've got cables dating back at least to Parallel Printer Ribbons and SCSI-1 connectors.
Since Boeing wasn't involved, I'll blame the French.
Considering the state of things around the world coming up to crimble
Alistair
A crimble eve launch would be (likely) over subscribed on the connected watchers count almost as badly as FFXIV is these days.
With my mom in hospital at the moment, such news would certainly perk her up, and she might even decide to get some sort of connection on which to watch said launch. (No, not covid, and likely something cardiac related but we aren't sure yet).
Re: Considering the state of things around the world coming up to crimble
Grunchy
Best wishes to your Mum!
msobkow
I sure hope the launch and deployment go smoothly. We don't need another "warped mirror" like with Hubble, much less any worse problems...
Wait for the reports that the launch was aborted to avoid a collision with several reindeer and a sleigh.