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NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope has reached a significant milestone with the successful integration of its main components—telescope, instrument carrier, and two scientific instruments—into the spacecraft that will support it in space. This integration takes place at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, paving the way for a series of rigorous tests to ensure the telescope can withstand the harsh conditions of space. The anticipated launch is set for May 2027, with completion of the mission by fall 2026.
NASA officials expressed optimism about the progress made, noting that the Roman Space Telescope aims to transform our understanding of the cosmos. The telescope will explore dark energy, search for exoplanets, and provide wide-field views of the universe. Following integration, the next steps include extensive testing to confirm the functionality of all hardware components and their alignment, as well as subjecting the payload to various environmental conditions, such as vibrations and thermal changes expected during launch and on-orbit conditions. Additional integration steps will follow, making way for a mission focused on addressing critical questions in astrophysics, named in honor of NASA’s first Chief of Astronomy.
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