Ariane 5 VA256 - James Webb Space Telescope - NET 25 December 2021 (12:20 UTC)

[eeergo]

What everybody's wondering now is why this wasn't mentioned in last week's brefings 

Wanted to know the outcome of the testing.

Sure, and in fact mine was a bit of a rhetorical question... although stating that they were still on track for the 18th was probably avoidable, and a bit misleading.

[Blackstar]

What everybody's wondering now is why this wasn't mentioned in last week's brefings 

Wanted to know the outcome of the testing.

Sure, and in fact mine was a bit of a rhetorical question... although stating that they were still on track for the 18th was probably avoidable, and a bit misleading.

Cut them some slack. They had to investigate and figure out what happened and why and what that means for their hardware and their schedule. There's a rule in communications that you don't rush out with incomplete information but wait until you have something substantial and accurate to say. They have undoubtedly had other issues crop up in testing and integration and they have not reported all of those because it wasn't necessary to report every thing that was going on.

I am interested in any safety issues and in the investigation of how this happened. There's an old saying about measuring twice and cutting once. They should be measuring many times before doing anything. So hopefully we will eventually get a report on exactly what happened and why.

[eeergo]

What everybody's wondering now is why this wasn't mentioned in last week's brefings 

Wanted to know the outcome of the testing.

Sure, and in fact mine was a bit of a rhetorical question... although stating that they were still on track for the 18th was probably avoidable, and a bit misleading.

Cut them some slack. They had to investigate and figure out what happened and why and what that means for their hardware and their schedule. There's a rule in communications that you don't rush out with incomplete information but wait until you have something substantial and accurate to say. They have undoubtedly had other issues crop up in testing and integration and they have not reported all of those because it wasn't necessary to report every thing that was going on.

I am interested in any safety issues and in the investigation of how this happened. There's an old saying about measuring twice and cutting once. They should be measuring many times before doing anything. So hopefully we will eventually get a report on exactly what happened and why.

I agree with your sentiment, and I'm sure NASA's high standards (which are hopefully ESA's as well) will prevail in shedding light on the incident for all the public to see, giving good example into what is slowly becoming the exception rather than the norm in spaceflight. My comment was more directed at the communicators who didn't appear to be following their rules about accuracy, by making it appear as if the event just happened at the time of the press release, rather than two weeks prior. Likewise during the press conferences a few short days ago, where it was avoidable to ratify the window for the 18th as if nothing had *already* happened at all, even going into detail about the exact time it would be launching at.

Anyway, I feel the topic of how well or badly this incident was communicated is already well discussed from both point of views, so I'll leave it there.

[zack]

Does JWST have a standard RUAG payload adapter or is it another Northrop Grumman special like ZUMA?

[hoku]

Does JWST have a standard RUAG payload adapter or is it another Northrop Grumman special like ZUMA?

RUAG: Cone 3936 plus ACU 2624 lower cylinder and clamp-band (CBOD low shock separation system)
https://www.jwst.nasa.gov/content/about/launch.html

[cohberg]

Testing Confirms Webb Telescope on Track for Targeted Dec. 22 Launch

Engineering teams have completed additional testing confirming NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope is ready for flight, and launch preparations are resuming toward Webb’s target launch date of Wednesday, Dec. 22, at 7:20 a.m. EST.

Additional testing was conducted this week to ensure the observatory’s health following an incident that occurred when the release of a clamp band caused a vibration throughout the observatory.

On Wednesday, Nov. 24, engineering teams completed these tests, and a NASA-led anomaly review board concluded no observatory components were damaged in the incident. A “consent to fuel” review was held, and NASA gave approval to begin fueling the observatory. Fueling operations will begin Thursday, Nov. 25, and will take about 10 days.

The Webb Space Telescope is an international partnership with the European and Canadian space agencies. It will explore every phase of cosmic history – from within our solar system to the most distant observable galaxies in the early universe, and everything in between. Webb will reveal new and unexpected discoveries, and help humanity understand the origins of the universe and our place in it.

[zubenelgenubi]

Same 3 hour launch window?

[Jim]

Does JWST have a standard RUAG payload adapter or is it another Northrop Grumman special like ZUMA?

RUAG: Cone 3936 plus ACU 2624 lower cylinder and clamp-band (CBOD low shock separation system)
https://www.jwst.nasa.gov/content/about/launch.html

That isn't a photo of the payload adapter.  That is a tilt table.

[mn]

Does JWST have a standard RUAG payload adapter or is it another Northrop Grumman special like ZUMA?

RUAG: Cone 3936 plus ACU 2624 lower cylinder and clamp-band (CBOD low shock separation system)
https://www.jwst.nasa.gov/content/about/launch.html

That isn't a photo of the payload adapter.  That is a tilt table.

Excuse my ignorance but what is this part?

[Jim]

Does JWST have a standard RUAG payload adapter or is it another Northrop Grumman special like ZUMA?

RUAG: Cone 3936 plus ACU 2624 lower cylinder and clamp-band (CBOD low shock separation system)
https://www.jwst.nasa.gov/content/about/launch.html

That isn't a photo of the payload adapter.  That is a tilt table.

Excuse my ignorance but what is this part?

A non flight shipping container adapter.  See previous page.

[mn]

Does JWST have a standard RUAG payload adapter or is it another Northrop Grumman special like ZUMA?

RUAG: Cone 3936 plus ACU 2624 lower cylinder and clamp-band (CBOD low shock separation system)
https://www.jwst.nasa.gov/content/about/launch.html

That isn't a photo of the payload adapter.  That is a tilt table.

Excuse my ignorance but what is this part?

A non flight shipping container adapter.  See previous page.

I checked the previous page and didn't find anything about a shipping container adapter, if you don't mind can you point me to something specific. TIA

[Josh_from_Canada]

The rocket has the serial number of L5114.

[Jim]

Does JWST have a standard RUAG payload adapter or is it another Northrop Grumman special like ZUMA?

RUAG: Cone 3936 plus ACU 2624 lower cylinder and clamp-band (CBOD low shock separation system)
https://www.jwst.nasa.gov/content/about/launch.html

That isn't a photo of the payload adapter.  That is a tilt table.

Excuse my ignorance but what is this part?

A non flight shipping container adapter.  See previous page.

I checked the previous page and didn't find anything about a shipping container adapter, if you don't mind can you point me to something specific. TIA

Look at reply #57

same stand and configuration

[jbenton]

It appears that the Dec. 22nd launch date is holding.

https://spacenews.com/jwst-undamaged-from-payload-processing-incident/

WASHINGTON — Launch preparations for NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope will resume after testing found no damage to the spacecraft from a payload processing incident earlier this month.

NASA announced late Nov. 24 that testing of JWST found no sign of damage to any of its components after a clamp band, which secures the spacecraft to its launch vehicle adapter, suddenly and unexpectedly released during payload processing work by Arianespace. The release of the clamp band imparted vibrations to the telescope that project officials worried could have damaged it.

NASA did not discuss the specific testing performed, or the components that were of concern, but said in the statement that an anomaly board concluded that no observatory components were damaged by the test. Fueling of JWST, the next major step in preparing the spacecraft for launch, is scheduled to begin Nov. 25 and take about 10 days.

[bolun]

https://twitter.com/ESA_Webb/status/1465692905578774536

Gift wrapping a rocket: finishing touches to the @ariane5 fairing include the application of @NASA @ESA @csa_asc agency logos and #Webb insignia #WebbFliesAriane #JWST #UnwrappingTheUniverse

[bolun]

Webb stickers for Ariane 5 fairing

https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2021/12/Webb_stickers_for_Ariane_5_fairing

https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2021/12/Webb_stickers_for_Ariane_5_fairing2

Credits: ESA/CNES/Arianespace

[zubenelgenubi]

Orbital launches from French Guiana for the immediate future:

Planned launches:
Date - Satellite(s) - Rocket - Launch Site - Time (UTC)

2021
December 22 Oct 31 NET Nov NET mid Nov late Nov NET early Dec Dec Dec 18 NET Dec 22 - JWST (James Webb Space Telescope) - Ariane 5 ECA+ (VA256 TBD VA256 VA256?) - Kourou ELA-3 - 12:20-15:20 12:20 to 15:20 12:10 to 15:10 TBD
(VS26 launch December 5 UTC; approximately 2 weeks minimum between CSG launches)

2022
NET January 6? TBD 2021? TBD 2022 TBD 2021 Nov 2021 Oct 2021 Nov/early Nov 2021 Dec 29, 2021 - OneWeb (x34) Flight 13 13 TBD - Soyuz-ST-B/Fregat-MT (VS27 TBD VS27 TBD VS26) - Kourou ELS
(approximately 2 weeks minimum between CSG launches; Christmas and New Year's holidays; approximately 3 weeks minimum between Soyuz-ST launches)

Changes on January 10th
Changes on January 18th
Changes on January 30th
Changes on March 21st
Changes on May 6th
Changes on May 12th
Changes on May 26th
Changes on June 16th
Changes on June 18th
Changes on July 18th
Changes on July 27th
Changes on August 5th
Changes on August 6th
Changes on August 7th
Changes on September 8th
Changes on October 5th
Changes on October 13th
Changes on October 14th
Changes on October 19th
Changes on November 22nd
Changes on November 24th
zubenelgenubi

[bolun]

Webb fuelled for launch

The James Webb Space Telescope was fuelled inside the payload preparation facility at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana ahead of its launch on Ariane 5.

Webb’s thrusters will use this propellant to make critical course-corrections after separation from Ariane 5, to maintain its prescribed orbit about one and a half million kilometres from Earth, and to repoint the observatory and manage its momentum during operations.

Fuelling any satellite is a particularly delicate operation requiring setup of the equipment and connections, fuelling, and then pressurisation.

Webb’s propellant tanks were filled separately with 79.5 l of dinitrogen tetroxide oxidiser and 159 l hydrazine. Oxidiser improves the burn efficiency of the hydrazine fuel.

These propellants are extremely toxic so only a few specialists wearing Self-Contained Atmospheric Protective Ensemble, or ‘scape’ suits, remained in the dedicated fuelling hall for fuelling which took 10 days and ended on 3 December.

The next steps will start soon for ‘combined operations’. This is when specialists working separately to prepare Webb and Ariane 5 will come together as one team. They will place Webb atop its Ariane 5 launch vehicle and encapsulate it inside Ariane 5’s fairing.

Then, no longer visible, Webb, joined with its Ariane 5 launch vehicle will be transferred to the Final Assembly building for the final preparations before launch.

Webb will be the largest, most powerful telescope ever launched into space. As part of an international collaboration agreement, ESA is providing the telescope’s launch service using the Ariane 5 launch vehicle. Working with partners, ESA was responsible for the development and qualification of Ariane 5 adaptations for the Webb mission and for the procurement of the launch service by Arianespace.

Webb is an international partnership between NASA, ESA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA)

https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2021/12/Webb_fuelled_for_launch

Image credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace

[jacqmans]

Ariane 5 moved to meet Webb
08/12/2021

The Ariane 5 launch vehicle which will launch the James Webb Space Telescope was moved to the final assembly building at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana on 29 November 2021.

Ariane 5 parts shipped from Europe to French Guiana, have been coming together inside the launch vehicle integration building.

The lower part of the Ariane 5 comprises the cryogenic main core stage (with the Vulcain main engine, oxygen and hydrogen tanks), two solid rocket boosters and the upper composite, including the cryogenic upper stage (with the HM7B engine, oxygen and hydrogen tanks), the vehicle equipment bay – the 'brain' of the launcher, and all supporting structures that will interface with Webb on its adaptor.

A launch table is used to transport the Ariane 5 vehicle between the launch vehicle integration building, the final assembly building and the launch pad.

Webb, now fuelled, will soon be integrated on Ariane 5’s upper stage and then encapsulated inside Ariane 5’s specially adapted fairing.

Webb will be the largest, most powerful telescope ever launched into space. As part of an international collaboration agreement, ESA is providing the telescope’s launch service using the Ariane 5 launch vehicle. Working with partners, ESA was responsible for the development and qualification of Ariane 5 adaptations for the Webb mission and for the procurement of the launch service by Arianespace.

Webb is an international partnership between NASA, ESA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).

https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Transportation/Ariane_5_moved_to_meet_Webb

[bolun]

Webb moved to meet Ariane 5

09/12/2021

The James Webb Space Telescope was transferred to the final assembly building at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana on 7 December 2021, to meet its Ariane 5 launch vehicle.

Stowed inside a special 23-tonne transport container, Webb was protected and monitored throughout the transfer.

Ariane 5 was already moved to the same building on 29 November. Here, adjustable platforms allow engineers to access the launch vehicle and its payload.

The next steps are to hoist Webb to the upper platform which has been prepared so that Webb can be integrated on Ariane 5’s upper stage and then encapsulated inside Ariane 5’s specially adapted fairing.

Webb is scheduled for launch on 22 December from Europe’s Spaceport. Ground teams have already successfully completed the delicate operation of loading the spacecraft with the propellant it will use to steer itself while in space.

Webb will be the largest, most powerful telescope ever launched into space. As part of an international collaboration agreement, ESA is providing the telescope’s launch service using the Ariane 5 launch vehicle. Working with partners, ESA was responsible for the development and qualification of Ariane 5 adaptations for the Webb mission and for the procurement of the launch service by Arianespace.

Webb is an international partnership between NASA, ESA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).

https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2021/12/Webb_moved_to_meet_Ariane_5

Image credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace