Why the James Webb Space Telescope's sunshield deployment takes so long

The kite-shaped sunshield measures 69.5 feet long by 46.5 feet wide . That's far too large to fit inside the payload fairing of any currently operational rocket, so the structure lifted off in a highly compact configuration and must now unfurl in space.

"As photons of sunlight hit the large sunshield surface, they will exert pressure on the sunshield, and if not properly balanced, this solar pressure would cause rotations of the observatory that must be accommodated by its reaction wheels," NASA public affairs specialist Alise Fisher ."The aft momentum flap will sail on the pressure of these photons, balancing the sunshield and keeping the observatory steady.", will keep on coming. Webb is expected to unfurl its five sunshield membranes on Friday , which it will achieve by extending two booms. Mission team members will get the membranes up to their proper tension over the weekend, potentially wrapping up this procedure — and sunshield deployment overall — as early as Sunday .

The shield is a bit like a folding beach lounge chair and the telescope the person sitting on it except for the scope will be facing the opposite direction (180° away from the sun).

Fill tha baloon

Go Webb!!!

rgmaxuel 🔥🔥🔥💯🦅

Maybe it’s nervous?

They are paid by the hour : ---)

That's incredible. 🙀

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