Chapter 1: The Journey of the James Webb Space Telescope

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) underwent a remarkable transformation since its initial announcement in 2007, starting with a modest budget of $500 million. The inception of the JWST can be traced back to a scientific workshop in 1989, where researchers contemplated the future of space observation beyond the Hubble Space Telescope. The vision evolved over time, culminating in a 1995 proposal for a large infrared telescope. Few could have anticipated that it would become the most ambitious and powerful telescope ever constructed.

Construction of the JWST's intricate components began in 2004, with the main body work commencing in 2007. Although it officially launched only last year, the telescope's construction was completed in 2016. Extensive testing was critical to ensure its functionality in the harsh environment of space, as the $10 billion telescope would not be serviced like Hubble had been.

On December 25 of last year, the JWST was successfully launched from Kourou, French Guiana. Since then, it has executed all deployment procedures with remarkable precision, sometimes exceeding expectations. This efficiency has led to reduced fuel usage and the possibility of extending its operational lifespan from the initial 10 years to potentially 15.

Following its launch, the JWST took 13 days to deploy its sunshield, mirrors, solar array, and antenna. Currently, the 18 mirror segments are undergoing alignment to function as a cohesive unit. This alignment process will consume a significant portion of the five-month commissioning and testing period before the telescope can commence its scientific endeavors. Despite being in the alignment phase, JWST has already provided stunning images and data that hint at its future capabilities.

The first images were received in February, indicating that the onboard instruments were functioning correctly. At that point, the mirror segments were not yet aligned, resulting in 18 separate images that needed to be stitched together to visualize a single star.

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The star chosen for initial observation was HD 84406 in the constellation Ursa Major. This star was selected due to its isolation from other bright stars, ensuring clarity in the images. The resulting mosaic comprised 18 distinct images captured by the telescope's Near Infrared Camera (NIRCam). These images played a crucial role in aligning the mirrors to achieve breathtaking views of the cosmos.

The mosaic of HD 84406. The 18 distinct points of light are labeled according to the mirror segment that captured them. Image by NASA.

In March, a significant milestone known as “fine phasing” was achieved, confirming that all optical parameters were functioning as intended. This phase allowed for a unified image of 2MASS J17554042+6551277, showcasing a multitude of galaxies and stars in the background, highlighting the telescope's exceptional resolution. The JWST has successfully delivered the highest resolution infrared images ever captured from space.

A red filter enhances visual contrast. Image by NASA/STScI.

Despite significant progress, researchers are still fine-tuning the mirrors, with adjustments expected to continue until May. Further calibration of the main instruments means that substantial scientific output from the JWST won't occur until June and July.

As of early April, the JWST is comfortably orbiting around the second Lagrange Point (L2), with occasional thruster burns to maintain its position. Scientists are closely monitoring the cooldown of onboard equipment, including the backplane, mirrors, and the Mid-InfraRed Instrument (MIRI), which operates optimally at -447° Fahrenheit (-266° Celsius).

Reflecting on the discussions from that 1989 workshop, NASA is once again pondering what will follow the JWST. This week, the Axiom-1 mission, which launched on April 8, is expected to unveil new possibilities in space observation. The astronauts are headed to the International Space Station (ISS) to conduct experiments that may pave the way for a new era of telescope development.

What could come next after the JWST?

A telescope that is 10 or even 100 times larger, capable of collecting greater amounts of light and revealing distant objects in unprecedented detail.

However, the construction and launch of the JWST were challenging enough, marked by years of delays and budget overruns. What technological advancements could allow the creation of a telescope 100 times larger? The answer lies in fluid behavior in microgravity.

In space, liquids naturally assume a spherical shape, unlike on Earth, where gravity distorts their form. This spherical shape results from surface tension, a phenomenon created by the cohesive nature of liquid molecules. If fluids can be utilized to form lenses in microgravity, it is theoretically possible to construct telescopes significantly larger than any previously built. This innovative concept will be tested during the Axiom-1 mission through the Fluidic Telescope Experiment (FLUTE), a collaboration involving NASA’s Ames Research Center, the Goddard Space Flight Center, and the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology.

During the same month as the JWST's launch, the FLUTE team conducted tests during two separate ZeroG flights. At 50 different intervals, the researchers experienced periods of microgravity lasting approximately 20 seconds each. During these moments, they successfully formed liquid lenses by filling circular frames with synthetic oil, creating free-standing circular lenses until gravity re-engaged.

The upcoming ISS experiment aims to advance this process by curing the fluids, allowing them to maintain their shape. This time, liquid polymers will be used, cured with UV light or specific temperatures to harden into a lens. The goal is to achieve a perfectly smooth and shaped lens, akin to what is desired in a mirror. Researchers will evaluate the results upon returning to Earth. A successful outcome would mark a historic milestone as the first optical component created in space.

Researchers are already eager to leverage the fully operational JWST to verify groundbreaking discoveries. One such discovery is HD1, a redshifted light artifact identified by researchers from the University of Tokyo, which may represent the oldest and most distant galaxy known, forming just 330 million years after the Big Bang. The JWST will be instrumental in confirming this remarkable finding.

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