There could be a problem of easily resolved cables, behind the technical anomaly in data transmission that led to postpone the launch of the highly anticipated James Webb space telescope to December 24, the result of the collaboration between NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA) and Canadian Space Agency (CSA). This was explained by Stefano Bianchi, Head of ESA’s Flight Programs, during a meeting with the press.
“Unfortunately yesterday it was discovered that in the transmission through the launcher of the data coming from some communication tools of the satellite there are some data drops, some are lost: we need to understand where the problem comes from”, says Bianchi. “At 99% it is an easily resolved interface problem, there is a large amount of cables involved. However, it must be ruled out that it is not a problem related to the instruments and equipment of the satellite. If there was a problem on the communication systems that they transmit and receive data to perform certain operations on the satellite, it would be very serious “.
At the moment, however, no particular concerns or tensions are leaked by the technicians. “Ambitious projects take time: after 25 years of waiting, one or two days of delay to verify that everything is working perfectly are more than acceptable”, reassures Antonella Nota, scientific director of the James Webb space telescope for ESA.
The solution of the enigma and the confirmation of the launch date should arrive in the next few hours: by Friday the encapsulation of the telescope is expected, that is, its insertion in the nose of the launcher which should protect it in the flight phase. Subsequently, the general pre-launch operations will be repeated, to verify that everything works in a coherent and perfect way. “Finally – concludes Bianchi – the pitcher will be moved to the launching pad to begin the countdown”.
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Source From: Ansa
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