Re:Four Earth-sized planets detected orbiting the nearest su...
by dredmorbius on Sunday August 13, 2017 @03:49AM
(#15001996)
I strongly suspect they aren't.
You're looking at a high-precision instrument, that's being fit inside a distinctly finite space and mass budget, that will have to operate for years (possibly decades), and which is beyond reach of any conceivable service mission for a very long time.
Movement, thermal control (the Webb operates in the low end of the visible spectrum, through the infrared, so its temperature itself is critical), alignment, and drift, all matter.
And every piece of equipment has to be tested and trialed to the maximum extent possible.
Yes, it's a bit Rube-Goldbergish, but then, so is the specification.
You're looking at a high-precision instrument, that's being fit inside a distinctly finite space and mass budget, that will have to operate for years (possibly decades), and which is beyond reach of any conceivable service mission for a very long time.
Movement, thermal control (the Webb operates in the low end of the visible spectrum, through the infrared, so its temperature itself is critical), alignment, and drift, all matter.
And every piece of equipment has to be tested and trialed to the maximum extent possible.
Yes, it's a bit Rube-Goldbergish, but then, so is the specification.