Aligning and maintaining the optics for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) on-orbit: the wavefront sensing and control concept of operations

Adam R. Contos; D. Scott Acton; Paul D. Atcheson; Allison A. Barto; Paul A. Lightsey; Duncan M. Shields

doi:10.1117/12.669067

10 June 2006 Aligning and maintaining the optics for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) on-orbit: the wavefront sensing and control concept of operations

Adam R. Contos, D. Scott Acton, Paul D. Atcheson, Allison A. Barto, Paul A. Lightsey, Duncan M. Shields

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 6265, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation I: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter; 62650X (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.669067
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2006, Orlando, Florida , United States

Abstract

From its orbit around the Earth-Sun second Lagrange point some million miles from Earth, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) will be uniquely suited to study early galaxy and star formation with its suite of infrared instruments. To maintain exceptional image quality using its 6.6 meter segmented primary mirror, wavefront sensing and control (WFS&C) is vital to ensure the optical alignment of the telescope throughout the mission. WFS&C design architecture includes using the Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) to provide imagery for ground-resident image processing algorithms which determine the optimal alignment of the telescope. There are two distinct mission phases for WFS&C, both of which use algorithms and NIRCam imagery to determine the required segment updates. For the first phase, WFS&C commissioning, the telescope is taken from its initial deployed state with each of the 18 primary mirror segments acting like independent telescopes, to its final phased state with each segment acting in concert as a part of a single mirror. The second phase, Wavefront Monitoring and Maintenance, continues for the rest of the mission. Here the wavefront quality is evaluated, and when needed, the mirror positions are updated to bring it back to an optimal configuration. This paper discusses the concept of operations for the commissioning and on-going maintenance of the telescope alignment using WFS&C.

Citation Download Citation

Adam R. Contos, D. Scott Acton, Paul D. Atcheson, Allison A. Barto, Paul A. Lightsey, and Duncan M. Shields "Aligning and maintaining the optics for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) on-orbit: the wavefront sensing and control concept of operations", Proc. SPIE 6265, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation I: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter, 62650X (10 June 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.669067

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available