James Webb Space Telescope (4 Viewers)

[Sailorsaint]

I've actually made it a point to check the NASA site a few times a day to see its progress. Wonder if there's a chance it can reach its mark ahead of time without disrupting the window.

It's almost at the half way point right now, 49.5% of the distance travelled.

 

[LonghornSaint]

I am trying hard to understand the details of lagrange points.

 

[GrandAdmiral]

It's almost at the half way point right now, 49.5% of the distance travelled.

Now over half way there.

 

[Merl]

I am trying hard to understand the details of lagrange points.

The L2 point it is heading for is the point in space between the earth and sun where the gravity pull from the earth and sun are equal.

 

[Merl]

Now over half way there.

halfway distance wise but just under a quarter of the way in time.

 

[bonnjer]

I am trying hard to understand the details of lagrange points.

Here's a good explanation of the basics:

What is a Lagrange Point? - NASA Science

Lagrange Points are positions in space where the gravitational forces of a two body system like the Sun and the Earth produce enhanced regions of attraction and repulsion. These can be used by spacecraft to reduce fuel consumption needed to remain in position.

solarsystem.nasa.gov

 

[GrandAdmiral]

I am trying hard to understand the details of lagrange points.

Here's a decent video that might help. The guy mentions the use in sci-fi, but it's all based in science.

halfway distance wise but just under a quarter of the way in time.

that's what I was referring to.

 

[Merl]

They decided not to start tensioning the heat shield today as originally planned since the side boom deployments went late yesterday and wanted to give the people controlling it some rest.

 

[efil4stnias]

I am trying hard to understand the details of lagrange points.

Aheww hawww haawww haw.

 

[bonnjer]

They decided not to start tensioning the heat shield today as originally planned since the side boom deployments went late yesterday and wanted to give the people controlling it some rest.

Very good idea. They've got wiggle room on these steps and the timing, so no need to rush it with stressed out, tired crew.

 

[bonnjer]

After a couple of days, they started working on tensioning the sunshields. They got the first (and largest) done and will continue to other four over the next couple days.

 

[Merl]

They have now completed tightening the 2nd and 3rd layers of the shield.. The last 2 should happen tomorrow. After that they will start the mirror deployment process.

 

[bonnjer]

They have now completed tightening the 2nd and 3rd layers of the shield.. The last 2 should happen tomorrow. After that they will start the mirror deployment process.

Big stuff!

 

[Sailorsaint]

They have now completed tightening the 2nd and 3rd layers of the shield.. The last 2 should happen tomorrow. After that they will start the mirror deployment process.

This is the part that worries me, fingers crossed.

 

[bonnjer]

All 5 layers of the sunshield are now fully tensioned. Big milestone!