The Webb Telescope’s Unfolding Secondary Mirror

In order to do groundbreaking science, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope must first unpack itself in deep space. In its full configuration, Webb would be too big too fit in any available rocket. So, engineers designed the observatory to fold up to a much smaller size during transport. After Webb Launches, the observatory’s delicate parts will unfold and arrange themselves through a series of carefully choreographed steps. When deployed, the secondary mirror will sit out in front of Webb’s 18 primary mirro