NASA’s Roman Observatory Advances Through Critical Pre-Launch Tests
NASA’s nearly complete Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope has recently achieved significant milestones as it moves closer to launch. This fall, the outer portion of the observatory successfully passed two crucial tests: a shake test and an intense acoustic blast. These tests were designed to ensure the observatory can withstand the harsh conditions of launch. Meanwhile, the inner portion of the telescope underwent a demanding 65-day thermal vacuum test, confirming that it will operate properly in the extreme environment of space. As NASA’s next flagship space telescope, the Roman observatory is set to tackle fundamental questions related to dark energy, exoplanets, and astrophysics.
Testing the Outer and Inner Portions of NASA’s Roman Observatory
The outer portion of NASA’s Roman observatory includes the outer barrel assembly, deployable aperture cover, and recently installed flight solar panels. This segment underwent vibration and acoustic testing, which simulate the launch environment. During acoustic testing, the observatory was placed in a large chamber equipped with massive horns that generated thunderous sounds. These sounds caused high-frequency vibrations similar to those experienced during launch. The sound intensity reached 138 decibels, louder than a jet plane taking off nearby. Sensors monitored the observatory’s response throughout the test to ensure structural integrity.
Following the acoustic test, the outer assembly was subjected to vibration testing on a large shaker table. This test replicated the lower-frequency vibrations of a rocket launch, sweeping through frequencies from 5 to 50 hertz. Each test lasted about a minute, but engineers tested three axes of movement over several weeks. Sensors captured the assembly’s reactions, allowing structural analysts to evaluate performance and refine their models. Shelly Conkey, lead structural analyst at NASA Goddard, expressed pride in the team’s accomplishment of successfully passing these demanding tests.
Meanwhile, the inner portion of the observatory—which includes the telescope, instrument carrier, two scientific instruments, and spacecraft bus—completed a major thermal vacuum test. This test took place inside the Space Environment Simulator at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Over 65 days, the assembly was exposed to extreme temperatures that mimic the cold of space and the heat from the Sun. More than 200 team members continuously ran simulations to assess the telescope’s optics and overall mission readiness. Dominic Benford, Roman’s program scientist at NASA Headquarters, noted that this was the first time the telescope and instruments were operated together, with the next activation planned for when the observatory is in space.
Next Steps for NASA’s Roman Observatory
After completing these extensive tests, the core portion of the Roman Space Telescope was removed from the test chamber and returned to NASA Goddard’s largest clean room. The team plans to connect the outer and inner portions of the observatory in November, aiming to complete the full assembly by the end of the year. Once final tests are finished, the telescope will be transported to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida to prepare for launch in summer 2026.
NASA remains on schedule for the Roman Space Telescope’s launch by May 2027, with hopes to launch as early as fall 2026. The observatory is managed at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, with contributions from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, Caltech/IPAC in Pasadena, the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, and a science team from various research institutions. Key industrial partners include BAE Systems Inc. in Boulder, Colorado; L3Harris Technologies in Rochester, New York; and Teledyne Scientific & Imaging in Thousand Oaks, California.
NASA’s Roman observatory continues to make steady progress through rigorous testing, bringing the mission closer to answering some of the most profound questions in astrophysics and planetary science. For more information about the Roman Space Telescope, visit NASA’s official website.
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Source: original article.