Keeping the thermal noise down, as Rubble’s successor prepares for launch

Citation

(2009), "Keeping the thermal noise down, as Rubble’s successor prepares for launch", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 81 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2009.12781aad.008

Keeping the thermal noise down, as Rubble’s successor prepares for launch

Article Type: Materials From: Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology: An International Journal, Volume 81, Issue 1

To enable the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to detect very weak infrared signals from the origins of the universe, Tekdata Interconnect Systems has delivered electrical interconnects enabling on-board instruments to operate accurately at temperatures below 1 K.

Replacing the Hubble Space Telescope, and carrying a mirror seven times larger for greater light-collecting sensitivity, JWST is the most important astronomical project of the decade, according to the National Research Council. To gather new data describing the origins of light, galaxies, stars and life, the telescope will carry a number of imaging and spectrographic instruments including the mid-infrared instrument (MIRI) and the near-infrared spectrograph (NIRSpec). The instruments are cryogenically cooled to temperatures as low as 100 mK, and require superconducting wire interconnects to prevent thermal interference due to heat leak. To achieve the utmost accuracy in the near infrared and mid infrared wavelengths, from 0.6 um to Sum and 5jim to 27 um, respectively, Tekdata is working with European and American institutes supporting JWST to build flight cables for NIRSpec and test harnesses for MIRI.

The MIRI and NIRSpec wiring solutions make use of Tekdata’s Cryoconnect technologies, including Niobium Titanium superconducting materials, ultra-fine-gauge wire fabrication processes, and planar weaving to achieve the ultimate electrical performance and repeatability.

“Cryoconnect is proud of its involvement on this project”, said Roy Blake, Business Development Manager at Tekdata. “This demonstrates our ability to deliver bespoke solutions to meet complex technological challenges and our capacity to work as part of a team with people from around the world”.

Details available from: Tekdata Interconnect Systems, Tel.: +44 (0) 1296 613786.

PIC: cryoconnect/1/aeat/1/09.

CAPTION: Cryoconnect wiring keeps the thermal noise down, as Rubble’s successor prepares for launch.