The deployable tower assembly (DTA) for the James Webb Space Telescope was delivered in mid-April to Northrop Grumman's Space Park facility where the telescope is being assembled.

The DTA for James Webb Space Telescope is delivered to Northrop Grumman's Space Park facility. Source: Northrop GrummanThe telescope is made up of four major parts: the telescope, the integrated science instrument module, the sunshield and the spacecraft. The DTA—built and tested by Astro Aerospace—is made out of graphite in order to be effective despite extreme change in cryogenic temperature. It will support the spacecraft and telescope structures, and has two key functions on Webb.

"First, in the stowed configuration, the DTA allows the telescope and instruments to fit into the rocket fairing with an acceptable center of gravity for launch," says Ken Aiello, Astro Aerospace cost account manager for Webb and program manager of the DTA. “Second, in the deployed configuration, it will lift the telescope mirrors and instruments away from the heat of the main spacecraft. This allows the sunshield to unfurl, reducing the amount of radiant heat the instruments are exposed to on orbit."

When fully deployed, the DTA will measure 10 feet in length and features two large diameter telescoping tubes, separate by a mechanized lead screw.

(Read “The Precision (and Promise) of the James Webb Space Telescope.”)