Webb Space Telescope’s Specialized Heat Radiator Deployed Successfully

Webb Aft Radiator Deployment

Webb Aft Radiator Deployment. Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center Conceptual Image Lab

At about 8:48 a.m. EST, a specialized radiator assembly necessary for Webb’s science instruments to reach their required low and stable operating temperatures deployed successfully. The Aft Deployable Instrument Radiator, or ADIR, is a large, rectangular, 4 by 8-foot panel, consisting of high-purity aluminum subpanels covered in painted honeycomb cells to create an ultra-black surface. The ADIR, which swings away from the backside of the telescope like a trap door on hinges, is connected to the instruments via flexible straps made of high-purity aluminum foil. The radiator draws heat out of the instruments and dumps it overboard to the extreme cold background of deep space.

The deployment of the ADIR – a process that released a lock to allow the panel to spring into position – took about 15 minutes.

Webb’s final series of major deployments is planned to start tomorrow, January 7, with the rotation into position of the first of two primary mirror wings. The second primary mirror wing – Webb’s final major spacecraft deployment – is planned for Saturday, January 8.

8 Comments on "Webb Space Telescope’s Specialized Heat Radiator Deployed Successfully"

  1. Yes, president joebiden 46, American, thankyou

  2. Vice president kamalaharris, American, thankyou

  3. Washington DC,thank you

  4. New York city,thank you

  5. Yes, covid19

  6. Great report on deployment of the James Webb deep space telescope in its process of doing its job.

  7. Levi Airington | January 8, 2022 at 1:48 pm | Reply

    I’m ecstatic that the earth is back on track to search the heavens. Who knows, we may even have first contact not far from now. This is why the earth needs to bring us all closer together to advance our minds together. I guess what I am saying is I sure would like for it to be in my lifetime. lol

Leave a Reply to Thuận Cancel reply

Email address is optional. If provided, your email will not be published or shared.