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In May 2022, the James Webb Space Telescope, a 1 million-mile telescope, was struck by a larger micrometeoroid, causing a marginally detectable effect on its data. Fortunately, the JWST was designed with redundancy in mind, with multiple mirror panels to ensure continued functionality. Additionally, the telescope is equipped with advanced technology to detect and mitigate potential risks, such as shielding and maneuvering capabilities to avoid future collisions with space debris. 

Hubble’s 1997 repair mission revealed a micrometeroid strike on its antenna, posing a significant risk to the observatory’s maintenance. JWST, unlike Hubble, lacks Earth’s proximity for astronauts, suggesting the possibility of a telescope that can repair itself. The development of such a self-repairing telescope would revolutionize space exploration.

Imagine a telescope equipped with advanced self-repair mechanisms that could autonomously detect and fix damages caused by micrometeor strikes or other unforeseen events. Such a groundbreaking technology would revolutionize space exploration, ensuring the longevity and functionality of expensive telescopes like JWST without relying on human intervention. This self-repairing capability would not only save time and resources but also enable these telescopes to continue their scientific missions uninterrupted, pushing the boundaries of our understanding of the universe. 

NASA Ames researchers are exploring the use of liquid materials instead of solid telescope mirrors to create self-repairing space telescopes.

The use of liquid mirrors in the Fluidic Telescope (FLUTE) project not only offers the advantage of self-repairing capabilities, but it also presents a solution to the challenges associated with large telescopes. By manufacturing these liquid mirrors in space, FLUTE has the potential to construct telescopes of unprecedented size, far surpassing the dimensions of the mirror on JWST. This groundbreaking approach could revolutionize space exploration and our understanding of the universe. 

This new technology could also provide valuable insights into the formation and evolution of the universe, helping scientists unravel its mysteries and deepen our knowledge of cosmic history. Additionally, the ability to observe fainter objects and peer further back in time could lead to groundbreaking discoveries about the origins of life and the existence of other habitable planets. 

The advancements in observing fainter objects and peering further back in time could also provide valuable insights into the evolution of galaxies and the formation of stars. Moreover, it could potentially shed light on mysterious phenomena such as dark matter and dark energy, unraveling some of the deepest secrets of the universe. 

So why liquid?

Surface tension is a property in liquids that allows molecules to stick together more tightly, creating flexible membranes that can be strong. This property is responsible for allowing water droplets to be compact and allowing insects to walk on water without sinking. On Earth, gravity overcomes surface tension possiblelets grow larger than 0.09 inches. However, in space, large amounts of liquid can still be ad up into spheres due to adhesion. In microgravity, adhesion can be used to contain liquid materials in circular frames, forming a curved shape. This inwardly curved surface can serve as a telescope mirror if the liquid is reflective. Morgan Cable, an astrochemist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, believes this approach is a game-changing idea that opens up new possibilities for scientific research and technological advancements.

LIQUID OPTICS COME INTO THEIR OWN

FLUTE, a project aiming to use liquid metal to build telescope mirrors, has faced several challenges, including the need for curved mirrors in microgravity. However, FLUTE takes advantage of the natural behavior of fluids in microgravity, allowing the optics to be constructed in orbit. This could reduce the size and mass of the launch, making it more fuel-efficient and allowing for a larger space observatory. Liquid optics have the advantage of self-repairability, allowing the telescope to heal itself if damaged. To scale up the FLUTE project, the team has been awarded an award from the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts program, allowing them to design, fund, and launch a small demo mission to low-Earth orbit. The team will assemble a 1-meter (3.28-foot) mirror aboard a small spacecraft, including instruments to analyze the quality of the resulting mirror. Preliminary findings are promising, but the telescope would need to operate in space for a long period of time to be successful. Understanding how liquid-based lenses age in space conditions is crucial for success. Despite these challenges, astronomers are hopeful that FLUTE will work, as it could open up new areas of astronomy.

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