Wrapping James Webb Telescope: Here's how observatory gets fitted into Ariane 5 rocket

James Webb Space Telescope, which is an epitome of par excellence technology and engineering, is set to explore early universe for us. Being most powerful telescope ever built, Webb will help scientists find answers to fundamental questions concerning our origin, evolution and place in cosmos. However, before deploying James Webb Telescope into space, re are certain challenges that need to be dressed with major one being its safe transportation to outer space. Webb will hitch a ride on an Ariane 5 rocket, a launch vehicle being provided by European Space Agency (ESA), but fitting Webb into cylindrical vessel is what would be first of many awaiting challenges.

Wrapping Webb telescope

Loing telescope inside a crammed rocket space is when you can truly witness level of engineering that has been put into its development. Being size of a tennis court, scientists have designed Webb in a way that it can be folded like an origami to subtly fit within confines of Ariane 5 rocket.

(Image: ESA)

telescope carries five layers of diamond-shaped sun shields which have been designed to fold like origami and measure 21-metres long and 14-metres in width when fully deployed. As you can see in image, foldable telescope subtly fits inside rocket which has a diameter of just 5.4-metres and has a height of 17 metres. According to ESA, rocket has been designed to serve as perfect means for Webb’s deployment and will protect it during liftoff and its journey through atmosphere.

(Image: Twitter/@ESA_fr)

"Ariane 5 has been customised to accommodate all specific requirements of Webb mission. New hardware ensures that venting ports around base of fairing remain fully open", agency said in its report. se venting ports will make sure that shock of depressurisation is minimal when telescope separates from rocket. In dition to this, rocket will also perform a rolling manoeuver after releasing telescope to avoid any fixed position of telescope relative to Sun as some elements of Webb are sensitive to solar riation and heating. Currently undergoing final checks, Webb telescope will launch on December 22 from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. 

Image: Twitter/@ESA_fr