The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Primary Mirror (PM) and Secondary Mirror (SM) are deployable relative to
the rest of the optics. The PM consists of 18 assemblies which are aligned on-orbit using hexapod actuators. The
complexity introduces risk that misalignments of individual components could result in a system with an unexpected
optical train. In order to monitor risk throughout the life of the project, a series of interrelated technical budgets and
independent cross-checks have been created and are continually updated with as-built data to provide confidence in the
state of the system as well as the path to completion.
KEYWORDS: Mirrors, James Webb Space Telescope, Optical alignment, Space telescopes, Optical components, Space telescopes, Optical telescopes, Adaptive optics, Data modeling, Telescopes, Shape memory alloys
The optical telescope element (OTE) of the James Webb Space Telescope has now been integrated and aligned. The OTE comprises the flight mirrors and the structure that supports them – 18 primary mirror segments, the secondary mirror, and the tertiary and fine steering mirrors (both housed in the aft optics subsystem). The primary mirror segments and the secondary mirror have actuators to actively control their positions during operations. This allows the requirements for aligning the OTE subsystems to be in the range of microns rather than nanometers. During OTE integration, the alignment of the major subsystems of the OTE structure and optics were controlled to ensure that, when the telescope is on orbit and at cryogenic temperatures, the active mirrors will be within the adjustment range of the actuators. Though the alignment of this flagship mission was complex and intricate, the key to a successful integration process turned out to be very basic: a clear, concise series of steps employing advanced planning, backup measurements, and cross checks that this multi-organizational team executed with a careful and methodical approach. This approach was not only critical to our own success but has implications for future space observatories.
KEYWORDS: Mirrors, James Webb Space Telescope, Phase modulation, Actuators, Optimization (mathematics), Aerospace engineering, Space telescopes, Telescopes, Space mirrors, Polishing
The Primary Mirror (PM) of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) consists of 18 segment assemblies that are
aligned on-orbit using hexapod actuators to function as a single monolithic optic. The individual segment assemblies are
polished into one of three different prescriptions. Each segment of a given prescription may be placed in one of six
different locations for that prescription, resulting in tens of millions of possible placement combinations of the 18
segments on the backplane of the telescope. A method is proposed to optimize the placement based on minimizing the
known alignment offsets of as-built mirrors in combination with the predicted shifts of each attachment point on the
telescope backplane due to material creep, cool down shifts, launch shifts, and gravity release. The optimization routine
can be configured to allow for minimization of errors in any of the six rigid-body degrees of freedom and can further
reduce selection options based on defined hardware constraints. Such a routine can be utilized to minimize initial
misalignments of the PM on-orbit, reducing the need to exercise mirror actuators to achieve an aligned state. The end
result is reduced commissioning time and increased probability of success of the mission.
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