The james webb telescope mirror unfolds in place

At 23:00 Beijing time on the evening of January 8, the main mirror of the James Webb Space Telescope was successfully unfolded. At 2:17 a.m. Beijing time on the 9th, according to the data transmitted by the telescope, the main mirror has been completely locked. With the deployment of the secondary mirror tripod and the two main mirror wings in place, James Webb has completed the deployment and deployment of all the large-scale structures and most important components.

Simulation animation based on real-time data from the backhaul (Source: NASA)

Because the James Webb telescope is so large, the telescope's hood, secondary mirror, triangular support structure, and the ends of the main mirror are folded up before launch to fit into the fairing of the Ariane 5 rocket. Within two weeks of the telescope in orbit, it automatically performs a series of procedures, unfolding one at a time. The mirror on the right side of the main mirror was expanded on January 7.

Over the next three months, these 18 small, independent mirrors will be finely tuned by 7 actuators on their respective backs, ensuring that together they form a perfect mirror (6.5 m diameter main mirror), gathering starlight to align the secondary mirror, and finally directing the light to the telescope's terminal equipment. This was followed by commissioning and cooling of the observation equipment. According to the plan, the telescope will achieve "first light" in June and be officially delivered.

At present, the James Webb Space Telescope has reached 1.09 million kilometers from Earth. At the end of this month, it will also perform a key orbit change maneuver to get into the working orbit.