NASA’s new James Webb Space Telescope faces critical US Senate

IT can peer further into space than ever before. But the replacement for the 25-year-old Hubble Space Telescope has just one hurdle to clear: Politics.

Eye in the sky ... The replacement for Hubble, the James Webb Space Telescope, is nearing completion. Source: NASA

IT costs $9 billion and can peer further into space than ever before. Now the replacement for the 25-year-old Hubble Space Telescope has just one hurdle left to clear: Politics.

The US Senate yesterday received a report from NASA on progress of one of its most expensive projects, the James Webb Space Telescope.

Scheduled to launch in just three years, the telescope is intended to replace — and surpass — the achievements of the Hubble Space Telescope which has been in orbit since April 1990.

At SXSW, the #Hubble25 panel is 5pm CST. Hear astronaut @SciAstro talk about #Hubble & #JWST! JWMarriott Salon A. pic.twitter.com/JgwmuzCn7C

— NASA Webb Telescope (@NASAWebbTelescp) March 15, 2015

The ability to maintain and upgrade Hubble disappeared with the demise of the Space Shuttle program and its successors in 2011. Since then, keeping the ageing telescope operational has been a matter of “on a wing and a prayer” for NASA, with key stabilisation devices already operating beyond expected life spans.

But NASA’s hopes of replacing the famous space camera may hinge on the mood of Republican Senator and potential Presidential Candidate Ted Cruz of Texas. He wants to slash half the space program’s budget and one third of its workforce. He takes an oversight position on NASA later this year.

The James Webb telescope, however, may be safe with the tough-talking Senator instead turning his focus to cutting back weather and climate studies.

“I would suggest that almost any American would agree that the core function of NASA is to explore space,” Cruz said at the hearing. “That’s what inspires little boys and little girls across this country. It’s what sets NASA apart from any agency in the country.”

The James Webb Telescope: Source: NASA

AN EYE FOR AN EYE?

The James Web Space Telescope (JWST) will sit in space much further from Earth than its older sister. Positioned some 1.5 million kilometres above our heads, it will be in an area much less likely to interfere with its sensitive electronics.

It’s mission: To gaze deep into space and time in search for answers to the mysteries of the origins of our universe, and even hunt for planets capable of sustaining life.

“This next great space observatory, and indeed the world’s most powerful planned space telescope, remains within budget and on track to meet its October 2018 launch readiness date,” NASA’s John Grunsfeld said told a House space subcommittee hearing yesterday.

The components for the telescope are currently being brought together an assembled in a NASA facility.

The James Webb Telescope: Source: NASA

ROCKY ROAD

The new telescope — initiated in 1999 — has been mired in controversy in recent years as costs exploded in the face of unexpected technical challenges and delays.

NASA is facing renewed pressure from Congress to meet the October 2018 launch date within current cost estimates.

When pressed about ongoing technical and cost challenges, NASA officials insisted the project remained on track and were upbeat about their ability to meet the deadline.

Keeping the program on track has already seen other NASA programs cannibalised for funds. This has reduced the number and duration of space probes exploring the depths of our solar system.

However, the US Government Accountability Office has again raised questions about NASA’s ability to cope with any further issues raised by integration and testing carried out as the telescope is assembled.

#JWST's test backplane (w/ secondary mirror boom extended) is readied for cryo tests in @NASA_Johnson's Chamber A. pic.twitter.com/nh2T7BQohj

— NASA Webb Telescope (@NASAWebbTelescp) March 25, 2015

“The JWST project will need to address many challenges before NASA can conduct the science the telescope is intended to produce,” the official investigation found.

In December the GAO reported the JWST project had experienced delays in every element and subsystem of the project, reducing the scheduled “reserve” time available from 14 months to 10.

Key among its concerns are issues surrounding the telescope’s “cryocooler”, a device necessary to operate one of the system’s four key scientific instruments — the infra-red light detector.

It’s criticism being seized upon by NASA’s opponents.

The James Webb Telescope: Source: NASA

WHY AN EYE?

During the hearing, NASA was keen to demonstrate why such an expensive space telescope was necessary.

Beyond new insights into the origins of the universe and the mechanics of the cosmos, NASA went on to emphasise the extensive educational value already demonstrated by Hubble.

“Children come into science wanting to know what we are made of, how we got here, what is the history of the universe, and where we are going,” NASA’s Dr Johhn Mather explained.

#ICYMI, learn more about #JWST and the infrared in this fun movie and downloadable comic book: http://t.co/QOVm5lwKeN pic.twitter.com/G0Ga3X3glW

— NASA Webb Telescope (@NASAWebbTelescp) March 25, 2015

“These are not simple questions, and there are no final answers, but the quest inspires children to learn and adults to continue to learn.

“Nearly every science classroom in the country has posters and teaching materials from Hubble. Every astronomy textbook is illustrated with Hubble pictures. Math teachers use examples from NASA projects to show why children need to know how to measure and calculate. We expect the James Webb Space Telescope will provide similar inspiration for students and teachers around the country.”

@JamieSeidel

Boom. Bend. Repeat. The universe doesn’t only have a sense of humour. It’s also a tease. http://t.co/TtxcupQxbt pic.twitter.com/8XPUe4EaSB

— Jamie Seidel (@JamieSeidel) March 5, 2015