HIGHLIGHTS

On Christmas Day, the James Webb Space Telescope was launched.

The James Webb Space Telescope will succeed.

 it can only be unfolded after it is in space.

WHY IN NEWS

NASA announced that all of the hexagonal mirror segments of the James Webb Space Telescope have been deployed. The delicate task of removing the $10 billion (approximately Rs. 74,500 crore) space observatory's individual mirror parts from their launch locations took over a week, with the motors turning over a million times. Engineers transmitted orders to small motors called actuators to carefully advance each section approximately half the length of a paper clip so that they had enough space for mirror alignment, according to the space agency. Engineers have started a month-long procedure to focus the telescope.

The main mirror of the James Webb telescope is made up of 18 gold-plated beryllium metal hexagonal segments. The mirror measures 21 feet and four inches in diameter when all parts are aligned. When compared to the Hubble Space Telescope, which was launched 30 years ago, the primary mirror is substantially bigger. Soon after the Hubble's deployment operations are completed, the more powerful James Webb will take its place.

NASA'S TWEET :     1) https://tinyurl.com/y3f3dav9

                                  2 ) https://tinyurl.com/2p8wwzzu 

NASA'S TWEET : https://tinyurl.com/2p8wwzzu

NASA'S TWEET : https://tinyurl.com/mr4mjyw4

'The mirror deployment crew moved all 132 actuators on the rear of the primary and secondary mirror segments in stages. Webb programme manager Erin Wolf of Ball Aerospace, the Colorado-based firm that designed and built the telescope's superior optical technology and lightweight mirror system, said the primary mirror segments were driven 12.5mm out from the telescope construction. NASA recently posted a GIF detailing the operation of these motors, or actuators, to help people understand how they operate. On Twitter, NASA also offered a 'fun fact.' It claims that the beryllium metal used in the primary mirror's 18 hexagonal pieces is six times stronger than steel. 'However, despite beryllium's strength, the motors can really change the curvature of each mirror section independently,' it continued.