In a blog post published in mid-November, a representative from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced that the James Webb Space Telescope, valued at $10 billion, has experienced 14 collisions with micrometeoroids, resulting in irreparable damage.
Illustration of the James Webb Space Telescope in space. (Photo: NASA).
“We observed 14 instances of micrometeoroid impacts on the mirror, averaging one to two times per month,” shared Mike Menzel, the chief engineer for the James Webb mission at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.
According to Menzel, the damage from most of the impacts was within NASA’s expectations. A particular collision occurred in May, classified as an “unavoidable random event”, which caused the James Webb to drift from its established position.
To rectify this, the engineering team adjusted the positions of 18 mirrors to align with the new orientation. According to Forbes, the impacts occurred on the gold-coated mirrors of the James Webb.
Collisions with micrometeoroids are a common incident for devices operating in low Earth orbit. Other risks include cosmic radiation, ultraviolet light, and charged particles from the Sun.
According to Live Science, the U.S. Space Surveillance Network monitors over 23,000 pieces of space debris larger than a softball. However, there are millions of smaller objects that the system cannot observe. Therefore, NASA and space agencies always have contingency plans to deal with potential space collision incidents.
During the development of the James Webb, engineers tested the mirrors against objects similar in size to micrometeoroids to assess their impact on the telescope’s operations.
The incident in May was rare; however, engineers have adjusted the mirror positions to avoid the trajectory of micrometeoroids, which can travel at higher speeds.
A collision incident in May caused a dent in the James Webb’s C3 mirror. (Photo: NASA).
“Micrometeoroids move in the opposite direction to the telescope, colliding with the mirror at relative speeds twice as fast and with four times the kinetic energy. Therefore, avoiding their trajectory when possible will help extend the optical effectiveness of the mirror for many decades,” stated Lee Feinberg, the optical team director for the James Webb at NASA.
Another significant risk is meteor showers, which could pose threats as the James Webb passes through the debris of Halley’s Comet in May 2023 and May 2024. Adjustments may alter the telescope’s operational schedule, prioritizing safety over scientific urgency.
The James Webb features a 6.5-meter-wide mirror, allowing it to collect substantial light from celestial objects. Collecting more light means the telescope can observe greater detail. This mirror is over 60 times larger than those of previous telescopes.
The James Webb Space Telescope was launched in December 2021 and became operational in early July after calibration. Its primary mission is to provide detailed images that enhance our understanding of the origins of the universe and uncover clues about the formation and existence of humanity and life beyond Earth.
