Neon-green first light for NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope
TL;DR Summary
NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope activated its 300-megapixel infrared camera for the first time, producing a neon-green test image of hundreds of stars. The commissioning run is part of Roman's journey to the L2 orbit; once fully tuned, it will image areas about 100 times larger than Hubble and transmit roughly 1.4 terabytes of data per day. The mission's built-in coronagraph will enable high-contrast exoplanet observations, and NASA says the 10-year plan could extend to about 22 years with thruster performance and extra fuel.
- 'We are on our way to groundbreaking science': NASA shares first test image from Roman telescope's 300-megapixel camera Live Science
- NASA Activates Roman’s Primary Instrument, Checks Out Coronagraph NASA Science (.gov)
- NASA's New $4.3 Billion, 300MP Space Telescope Passed its First Tests One Million Miles Away petapixel.com
- NASA budgeted 200 kilograms of fuel for Roman’s first course correction, but the telescope used only 18. Combined with extra fuel loaded before launch and further expected savings, that could stretch its 10-year fuel plan to at least 22 years. Space Daily
- NASA says new Roman telescope's lifespan could more than double, to 22 years ksl.com
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