
This image shows a close-up view of the next-generation microshutter arrays during the fabrication process. The technology advances an already groundbreaking multi-object observing technique.
Image Credit: NASA/Bill Hrybyk
NASA technologists have hurdled a number of significant technological challenges in their quest to improve an already revolutionary observing technology originally created for the James Webb Space Telescope.
The team, led by Principal Investigator Harvey Moseley, a scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, has demonstrated that electrostatically actuated microshutter arrays — that is, those activated by applying an specific voltage — are as functional as the current technology’s magnetically activated arrays. This advance makes them a highly attractive capability for potential Explorer-class missions designed to perform multi-object observations.
“We have identified real applications — three scientists want to use our microshutter arrays and the commercial sector has expressed interest,” said Mary Li, a Goddard engineer who is working with Moseley and other team members to fully develop this already groundbreaking observing technology. “The electrostatic concept has been fully demonstrated and our focus now is on making these devices highly reliable.”
Progress, she said, is in large part due to the fact that the team successfully eliminated all macro-moving parts — in particular, a large magnet — and dramatically lowered the voltage needed to actuate the microshutter array. In addition, the team applied advanced electronic circuitry and manufacturing techniques to assure the microshutter arrays’ dependable operation in orbit, Li added.
The Microshutter Breakthrough
Considered among the most innovative technologies to fly on the Webb telescope, the microshutter assembly is created from micro-electro-mechanical technologies and comprises thousands of tiny shutters, each about the width of a human hair.
Assembled on four postage-size grids or arrays, the 250,000 shutters open or close individually to allow only the light from targeted objects to enter Webb’s Near Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec), which will help identify types of stars and gases and measure their distances and motions. Because Webb will observe faint, far-away objects, it will take as long as a week for NIRSpec to gather enough light to obtain good spectra.
NIRSpec’s microshutter array, however, enhances the instrument’s observing efficiencies. It will allow scientists to gather spectral data on 100 objects at a time, vastly increasing the observatory’s productivity. When NASA launches the Webb telescope in 2018, it will represent a first for multi-object spectroscopy.
Read more . . .
The Latest on: Microshutter technology
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Microshutter technology” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Microshutter technology
- Technology Newson June 9, 2023 at 9:33 am
equity & inclusion are not just features of a strong workplace & healthy culture-they play… Join us for the 2023 Technology Leader of the Year awards celebration… Jun 9, 2023, 9:24 am EDT ...
- Philadelphia Technology Newson June 8, 2023 at 11:58 pm
Showcase your company news with guaranteed exposure both in print and online We will explore the state of gene editing and how Philadelphia-area researchers and companies… Join us as we ...
- The Latest Technology Newson June 8, 2023 at 5:00 pm
So you have been using ChatGPT for a little time and you have already notice the difference you can make by just tweaking your prompt slightly. Sure you can get a response from a simple prompt but ...
- HNA Technologyon June 8, 2023 at 4:21 am
HNA Technology Co. Ltd. engages in the maritime business. Its business include international shipping container transport, warehousing services; land and sea transport; container leasing ...
- BBC News Technology of Businesson June 1, 2023 at 4:13 pm
It is estimated that 90% of hard drives are destroyed. Why aren't more wiped and reused? It is estimated that 90% of hard drives are destroyed. Why aren't more wiped and reused? Computer games are ...
- RETAIL TECHNOLOGYon May 30, 2023 at 12:45 pm
The company is launching a new branding campaign and debuted a revised logo in a bid to market itself as offering broader vehicle services to consumers. Automotive Ventures had hoped to raise as ...
- 10 Biggest Technology Companieson May 22, 2023 at 11:09 pm
AAPL, SSNLF, and HNHPF lead the 10 biggest technology companies list Khadija Khartit is a strategy, investment, and funding expert, and an educator of fintech and strategic finance in top ...
- We Should Be More ‘Amish’ About Technologyon May 21, 2023 at 7:24 am
Technology promises greater ease, convenience, connection and newfound joy, and we often believe its promises from the start, embracing it with excitement and optimism. By the time we see the ...
- What is Architectural Technology? How Innovation is Changing the Industryon May 10, 2023 at 10:09 am
Architectural technology is a vast discipline in itself. At present, innovations like Building Information Modelling (BIM), computational design, robotic fabrication, building performance analysis ...
- World Wide Technologyon March 3, 2023 at 10:50 am
Co-founded in 1990 by David Steward and Jim Kavanaugh, World Wide Technology, based in St. Louis, Missouri, provides digital strategy, innovative technology and supply chain solutions to large ...
via Bing News