3 ms·
Here's a good paper on the mirror actuators [1]. Skimming, they look like hexapod rotary stepper architecture that would not need power to hold a position, only
by ridgeguy 5y ago
Here's a good paper on the mirror actuators [1]. Skimming, they look like hexapod rotary stepper architecture that would not need power to hold a position, only to change position.
[1] https://www.esmats.eu/amspapers/pastpapers/pdfs/2006/warden.pdf https://www.esmats.eu/amspapers/pastpapers/pdfs/2006/warden....
- jacquesm 5y agoSteppers make good sense for that application, what a beautiful design. 7 nm step size with a repeat accuracy of 1 nm is insane precision.
- ridgeguy 5y agoIt is a beautiful design, isn't it? I'll speculate that the engineers who designed this and other ground-breaking aspects of JWST feel the same euphoria that Beethoven might have felt on completing his 9th symphony. I think beauty wears many masks, but she's in every human effort to bring something new into the world.