The central part of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope Space Telescope has passed a critical vibration test that brings it closer to final assembly. This test was conducted at the Goddard Space Flight Center, and accurately reproduced the extreme launch conditions to ensure the integrity of the system.
Structural tests of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope
During the test, the team filled the spacecraft’s tanks with more than 1,000 liters of deionized water, replicating the weight of the real propellant. This procedure made it possible to evaluate how the observatory will respond during launch. The analysis included a frequency sweep that exposed the structure to forces in excess of 120% of what was expected in flight.
According to Cory Powell, lead structural engineer, this is a meticulous process that requires absolute control at every stage. These tests are critical to certify that all components, from the telescope to the life support systems, remain aligned and functional after a highly vibrational environment.
With the test passed, the structure will return to the clean room for a detailed review. The alignment of the alignment of the instruments and the correct deployment of the high gain antenna. Subsequently, a thermal vacuum test will be performed to ensure the system’s operability in deep space.
At the same time, Goddard technicians are moving forward with the external section of the observatory. A test sunshield has been installed and the final solar arrays are being integrated. The inner and outer module are scheduled to be joined by November, which will allow for a fully assembled telescope before the end of the year.
The Roman Space Telescope is designed to answer fundamental questions about the structure and evolution of the universe, including the properties of dark energy. With a planned launch in 2027, this mission represents one of NASA’s most exciting efforts in the study of cosmology.
The Roman Space Telescope study and progress. Source: NASA Goddard
This project involves the Jet Propulsion Laboratory(JPL), Caltech/IPAC, the Space Telescope Science Institute and industrial partners such as BAE Systems, L3Harris Technologies and Teledyne Scientific & Imaging. Each is contributing essential technology to ensure the success of this orbital platform.
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Source and photo: NASA
