“Not fully. In many ways, the ground test environment was challenging and different from space.”
Perrin explains how gravity plays a role, in that JWST’s mirrors are designed to have a certain shape in Zero-g, but in all ground tests they were inevitably deformed by gravity, requiring numerical models to compensate. Then, there’s no way to test on the ground how the telescope might work in Zero-g, as far as stability or if there will be any vibrations from the spacecraft. And while the ground test at Johnson Space Center’s thermal vacuum chamber could match the temperatures JWST would experience in space, Perrin said certain effects in the test chamber induced optical instabilities.
“A performance prediction must be not just a handwave or a wish, it has to be based in quantitative numerical models and budgets including assessing risks and uncertainties,” So, while predictions are useful, there are always uncertainties. For now, let’s savor the joy and wonder JWST is already providing.Lead image caption: The evolution of infrared astronomy, from Spitzer to WISE to JWST. Image credit: Andras Gaspar.
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