Testing the James Webb Space Telescope Pathfinder
This photo shows the James Webb Space Telescope Pathfinder structure. The Pathfinder is a test version of the structure that supports the telescope. Here the Pathfinder has been configured for the Thermal Pathfinder Test to be carried out at the Johnson Space Center's giant Chamber A. This is where end-to-end testing of the actual telescope will occur in 2017.
The dummy Aft Optical System (AOS) is visible in the center of the primary mirror segments. The AOS is the upright piece at the center of the primary mirror - it contains the telescope's tertiary and fine steering mirrors.
Among the mirror segments can be seen one gold-coated flight-spare beryllium segment (just in front of the AOS), one uncoated beryllium engineering unit segment, and ten gold-coated aluminum thermal simulator segments.
Credit: NASA/Chris Gunn
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