The Roman Space Telescope's Outer Shell Moves to the Thermal Vacuum Chamber
The outer half of NASA’s nearly complete Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope just passed a lengthy test to ensure it will function properly in the space environment. This video shows the structure, which consists of the Outer Barrel Assembly, Solar Array Sun Shield, and Deployable Aperture Cover (collectively called OSD), entering the Space Environment Simulator. Technicians removed air from this thermal vacuum chamber and exposed the structure to a wide range of temperatures.
Credit: NASA/Rob Andreoli
A tall, semi-translucent structure emerges from the clean room, carefully guided through an even taller doorway. Inside sits the outer structure (OSD) of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.
Technicians work around the frame, cleaning and preparing to attach it to a massive crane.
The structure is then lifted high into the air and lowered into a round chamber known as the Space Environment Simulator. This facility is a thermal vacuum chamber designed to replicate the some of the extreme conditions of space.
Credit: NASA/Sophia Roberts
This is the view from inside the Space Environment Simulator, as the outer portion of the Roman observatory slowly descends into the chamber.
Credit: NASA/Sophia Roberts
Another view from the very center of the Space Environment Simulator as OSD lowers into the chamber.
Credit: NASA/Scott Wiessinger
A large, semi-translucent tent is placed over the OSD to protect it from contamination when it's outside the clean room.
Credits
Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center
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Producers
- Scott Wiessinger (eMITS)
- Sophia Roberts (eMITS)
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Videographer
- Rob Andreoli (eMITS)
Missions
This page is related to the following missions:Related
- ID: 14852
Release date
This page was originally published on Wednesday, June 11, 2025.
This page was last updated on Thursday, June 26, 2025 at 11:28 AM EDT.