/ Modified dec 21, 2021 1:34 p.m.

Space telescope launch culminates special effort by Tucson company

4D Technology did testing for the James Webb Space Telescope project

Test JWST Optics for the James Webb Space Telescope underwent years of testing before preparation for launch.
NASA

A Tucson company that developed testing for the James Webb Space Telescope is awaiting the mission's upcoming launch.

4D Technology specializes in testing the quality of precision optics. NASA recruited the company to work with the space agency on the telescope’s complex set of mirrors. Company co-founder James Millerd recalls 4D connected with a NASA engineer early in the mission’s development phase.

“He identified that they had this need to measure mirrors inside a vacuum chamber to simulate space conditions," Millerd said.

4D partner Neal Brock says rigorous testing was crucial because the spacecraft will be too far away for a service call.

“Everything has to go right, all the deployment, all the optics, so it was absolutely critical that they test everything," said Brock.

If everything goes as planned, NASA will park the James Webb Space Telescope in an orbit a million miles away from Earth. This will allow the telescope’s infrared optics to get the clearest views yet of the universe.

By posting comments, you agree to our
AZPM encourages comments, but comments that contain profanity, unrelated information, threats, libel, defamatory statements, obscenities, pornography or that violate the law are not allowed. Comments that promote commercial products or services are not allowed. Comments in violation of this policy will be removed. Continued posting of comments that violate this policy will result in the commenter being banned from the site.

By submitting your comments, you hereby give AZPM the right to post your comments and potentially use them in any other form of media operated by this institution.
AZPM is a service of the University of Arizona and our broadcast stations are licensed to the Arizona Board of Regents who hold the trademarks for Arizona Public Media and AZPM. We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples.
The University of Arizona