NASA’s Roman Telescope Launches This Weekend
NASA’s next-generation telescope launches Sunday, built from parts of canceled spy satellites.
The update
NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is scheduled to lift off from Florida this Sunday, August 30, at 7:26 a.m. EDT. The mission will launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Kennedy Space Center. The spacecraft is currently enclosed in its rocket’s fairing and is nearly ready for liftoff.
Why it matters
Roman represents a major upgrade for astronomy. It will capture visible-to-near-infrared images that are 50 times wider than those of the James Webb Space Telescope. This wide field of view is expected to revolutionize the study of dark matter and dark energy, and it will help scientists discover thousands of exoplanets.
What to watch
The telescope’s origins are unique. Its Optical Telescope Assembly was built using parts from the National Reconnaissance Office’s canceled ‘Future Imagery Architecture’ spy satellite program. The mission was also nearly canceled last year due to budget concerns. Launch delays are possible, and a backup window is available on Monday, August 31.
Sources
- space.com — Live viewing information and mission context.
- livescience.com — Launch details, weather considerations, and mission goals.
- space.com — Live viewing information and mission context.
- science.nasa.gov — Launch time, mission overview, and naming context.
- space.com — Live viewing information and mission context.
- space.com — Live viewing information and mission context.