Installing the Roman Space Telescope Lower Instrument Sun Shade

  • Released Thursday, July 31, 2025
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Technicians have successfully installed two sunshields onto NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope’s inner segment. Along with the observatory’s Solar Array Sun Shield and Deployable Aperture Cover, the panels (together called the Lower Instrument Sun Shade), will play a critical role in keeping Roman’s instruments cool and stable as the mission explores the infrared universe.

Credit: NASA/Sophia Roberts

Music Credit: Of the Sea by Jack Niemann (Universal Production Music)

Versions with and without text available for download.

This video shows technicians installing two sunshields onto NASA's nearly complete Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope on July 17. The large yet lightweight panels will block sunlight, keeping Roman’s instruments cool and stable as the mission explores the infrared universe.

Credit: NASA/Sophia Roberts

Music Credit: Of the Sea by Jack Niemann (Universal Production Music)

Vertical version of the video above. Versions with and without text available for download.

In this time-lapse video, technicians manually deploy the Lower Instrument Sun Shield for NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. The test helps verify the panels will operate as designed in space.

Credit: NASA/Sophia Roberts

For More Information

See https://www.nasa.gov/missions/roman-space-telescope/nasa-installs-key-sunblock-shield-on-roman-space-telescope/

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NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

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This page was originally published on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
This page was last updated on Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at 5:25 PM EDT.