The James Webb Space Telescope will soon launch into space, but before it has even left, the technologies used in its construction are already finding uses back here on Earth.
NASA is responsible for more Earth-bound technologies than just space ice cream; the organization’s research has led to everything from new kinds of artificial limbs to better fire-fighting equipment (and don’t forget Tang). While at SXSW, I had the chance to check out a full-scale model of the giant James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), a 21-foot in diameter telescope that will be sent into space in 2018 to find the first galaxies that formed in our universe.
JWST has already taught us a lot, even though it has yet to be launched. That’s because new technologies had to be invented just to make it work. Below, some of the highlights.
DIAGNOSING EYE DISEASES MORE EFFICIENTLY
In order to measure the shape of the telescope’s mirrors (they’re aspheres, or lenses with shape profiles that aren’t cylinders or spheres), NASA had to invent better sensing technology. The result: the Scanning Shack-Hartmann Sensor, a new kind of measurement device that can also be used to better measure the shape of human eyes in a matter of seconds instead of hours. The technology has the potential to improve surgery and better diagnose eye diseases.
TESTING MATERIALS STRENGTH
A lot of strength testing goes into telescope production–especially for a telescope that will be operating in -450 degree F weather. Thanks to JWST, a company called 4D Technologies had the opportunity to develop new techniques to measure composite materials. James Millerd, president of 4D Technology Corporation, explained in a statement: “Technology developed for the Webb telescope has also helped 4D Technologies to develop unique technology to measure strain in composite materials.” As we start building with crazier material than just wood and concrete, the testing that originated in the JWST could be invaluable.
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- James Webb Space Telescope discovers some early universe galaxies grew up surprisingly faston April 26, 2024 at 6:00 am
Using the James Webb Space Telescope, scientists have discovered that early universe galaxies must have grown up way faster than expected. Plus, the same team also found that, 10 billion years ago, ...
- Hubble Space Telescope marks 34 years with new portrait of a ‘cosmic dumbbell’on April 25, 2024 at 5:00 pm
(CNN) — The Hubble Space Telescope has captured a stunning new image of the glowing gas ejected from a dying star, which in this case happens to resemble a “cosmic dumbbell.” The portrait may also ...
- NASA's Fermi space telescope finds a strange supernova with missing gamma rayson April 25, 2024 at 9:00 am
"Fermi is the most sensitive gamma-ray telescope in orbit, so when it doesn’t detect an expected signal, scientists must explain the absence." ...
- Astronomers fight to save a major X-ray space telescopeon April 25, 2024 at 7:00 am
In an open letter, a group of astronomers claimed that Chandra “is capable of many more years of operation and scientific discovery” and that a “reduction of the budget of our flagship X-ray mission ...
- On This Day, April 24: Hubble Space Telescope launched into spaceon April 24, 2024 at 12:00 am
On April 24, 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope was launched into space from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard the space shuttle Discovery.
- Plunge into an immersive IMAX movie featuring the James Webb Space Telescopeon April 18, 2024 at 6:22 am
In 'Deep Sky,' JWST comes to the really big screen with an abundance of data and no shortage of tears.
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- SETI scientist claims James Webb is about to discover alien lifeon April 26, 2024 at 1:41 pm
Lisa Kaltenegger, who currently directs the Carl Sagan Institute at Cornell, recently told The Telegraph that announcements of alien life discovery are imminent and that … The post SETI scientist ...
- NASA Hubble Space Telescope Suspends Science Due To Glitchon April 26, 2024 at 1:17 pm
NASA is troubleshooting an ongoing gyroscope problem with the elderly Hubble Space Telescope that has brought science operations to a halt.
- James Webb Space Telescope investigating aliens after finding planet with 'signs of life'on April 26, 2024 at 10:20 am
The secrets of alien life in the universe could finally be uncovered by NASA today through the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). That's after astronomers came across a planet full of gas that could ...
- James Webb Space Telescope discovers some early universe galaxies grew up surprisingly faston April 26, 2024 at 6:00 am
Using the James Webb Space Telescope, scientists have discovered that early universe galaxies must have grown up way faster than expected. Plus, the same team also found that, 10 billion years ago, ...
- Hubble Space Telescope marks 34 years with new portrait of a ‘cosmic dumbbell’on April 25, 2024 at 5:00 pm
“The space telescope is the most scientifically productive space astrophysics mission in NASA history,” according to a NASA release. Hubble and the James Webb Space Telescope operate as complements to ...
- James Webb telescope to investigate strongest sign of alien lifeon April 25, 2024 at 10:30 am
Telescope will set its gaze on the planet K2-18b on Friday, looking for a gas that on Earth is ‘only produced by life’ ...
- Exploring the Cosmos: NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope Uncovers New Star-Forming Region NGC 3324on April 24, 2024 at 1:08 pm
This celestial snapshot is not merely a striking vista of interstellar beauty; it is an infrared panorama that showcases, for the first time, hidden nurseries of star formation, which were previously ...
- James Webb Space Telescope finds 'real surprise' at beginning of the universeon April 24, 2024 at 2:50 am
Some of the world's leading astronomers have been left 'really surprised' after discovering something new about the early days of the universe. Using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), which ...
- NASA's James Webb Space Telescope Will Look for Signs of Life in New 7 Earth-sized Planets Around TRAPPIST-1on April 23, 2024 at 12:30 am
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope is poised to investigate seven Earth-sized planets orbiting the TRAPPIST-1 star, 40 light years away, raising the hope of detecting signs of life beyond our solar ...
- James Webb Space Telescope documentary returns to IMAX theaters this week for Earth Day. Watch exclusive clips here (video)on April 22, 2024 at 7:00 am
"'Deep Sky' brings the awe-inspiring images captured by NASA's Webb Telescope to IMAX — taking audiences on a journey to the beginning of time and space, to never-before-seen cosmic landscapes, and to ...
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