Interview with Senior Researcher Sangmo Som at the American Space Telescope Research Center
“If robots are sent to L2 within 10 to 20 years, the lifespan of telescopes may be further extended”
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(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Sujin Oh = “Until now, astronomy has been an era in which theory leads and develops observations. In the future, we are cautiously anticipating that the Web Space Telescope will lead to an era in which observations lead theories.”
Sangmo Som, a senior researcher at the US Space Telescope Research Institute (STScI), who participated in the James Webb Space Telescope (Web Space Telescope) development project, which went into space on December 25 last year, revealed this prospect in an email interview with Yonhap News on the 15th.
“The Hubble Space Telescope (operated since 1990) has had a profound impact on the development of modern astronomy,” said Sohn, senior researcher.
He emphasized, “If an appearance or phenomenon in the universe that astronomers did not expect at all (via the Web Space Telescope) is observed, it can serve as an opportunity to establish a new theory to explain it.”
After graduating from Yonsei University’s Department of Astronomy and Space, he received his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Virginia, USA.
Currently, he is responsible for the mirror alignment of the Webb Space Telescope.
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Web space telescope mirror made of 18 pieces [NASA/Chris Gunn 제공]
The Webb Space Telescope’s mirror consists of 18 pieces glued together in a honeycomb shape. ‘Mirror alignment’ refers to precisely moving these pieces to act like a single mirror with a diameter of 6.5m.
STScl, where he works, is a space telescope specialized research institute that is in charge of the operation of NASA’s giant space telescope project. He has been responsible for the operation of the Hubble Space Telescope for the past 30 years, and all operations following the launch of the Webb Space Telescope are also managed by STScl.
“It was the most memorable day of my life,” said senior researcher Sohn, who worked on the Hubble Space Telescope team and joined the Webb Space Telescope project in 2019.
He recalled, “It was Christmas morning, and I was more excited than my two children who received Christmas presents.”
Senior Researcher Sohn said, “When the Webb Space Telescope arrived at the target orbit of the 2nd Lagrange point (L2) on the 25th of last month, the researcher was engulfed in a very encouraging atmosphere. We’re working hard on one,” he said of STScl’s mood.
According to his explanation, the current Webb Space Telescope has successfully completed solar panels, sun shields, and mirror deployments, and has passed an important hurdle before stable observations can be made.
“The Webb Space Telescope is very busy performing the mirror alignment process,” he said. “On the back of each sculpted mirror, a device that enables fine adjustment with precision in the order of 10 nanometers (nm) is installed, which requires a high degree of precision. It is a very complex task, so it takes place over a long period of three months.”
He said that the Webb Space Telescope is going through a very smooth process following launch, but this is the result of overcoming numerous difficulties and obstacles several times.
He said he was very frustrated at the thought of having to start all over once more whenever a launch was delayed, and mentally exhausted as all teams had to re-plan for that date when a new launch date was announced, he said.
(AFP = Yonhap News) The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced on the 24th (local time) that the ‘James Webb Telescope’ (JWST), which was launched on a rocket at the end of last year, successfully entered its target orbit 1.6 million km away from Earth. announced. This next-generation Webb telescope, which will provide the furthest and deepest look into space, is expected to play an important role in confirming the appearance of the universe immediately following the Big Bang and in finding exoplanets that may contain life. Pictured is an image of the James Webb Telescope placed in space observation orbit. [NASA 제공] 2022.1.25 [email protected]
“After launch, there were 344 single points of failure (an element that stops the whole if one of the components does not work) while the Webb Space Telescope flew to the L2 point, including the launch,” said senior researcher Sohn. There were a lot of team members who breathed a sigh of relief every time,” he said.
He predicted that as the Webb Space Telescope went up to the sky following thorough preparation, its lifespan would be longer than expected, and it might produce results beyond imagination.
“The Webb Space Telescope’s near-perfect entry into its target orbit saved fuel as much as possible, and recent calculations have increased its life expectancy to more than 20 years,” he said. “I need a dog, but I installed six in case of a breakdown.”
He also said, “It is still too early to have hope, but there is talk of whether NASA will send a robot to L2 orbit within 10 to 20 years to further extend the lifespan of the Webb telescope,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of continuous interest and support for space science and astronomy, saying that the development of the space telescope has created various technologies that improve the quality of our real life as well as the development of pure science.
He said, “The universe is not a vague object of admiration, but a space where anyone can realize a specific dream through a scientific method. ” expected.
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