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Julie Van Campen

Publications and source records attributed to Julie Van Campen.

5 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2023

The Science Performance of JWST as Characterized in Commissioning

This paper characterizes the actual science performance of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), as determined from the six month commissioning period. We summarize the performance of the spacecraft, telescope, science instruments, and ground system, with an emphasis on differences from pre-launch expectations. Commissioning has made clear that JWST is fully capable of achieving the discoveries for which it was built. Moreover, almost across the board, the science performance of JWST is better than expected; in most cases, JWST will go deeper faster than expected. The telescope and instrument suite have demonstrated the sensitivity, stability, image quality, and spectral range that are necessary to transform our understanding of the cosmos through observations spanning from near-earth asteroids to the most distant galaxies.

Infrared astronomy↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Servicing the Habitable Worlds Observatory

The Habitable Worlds Observatory is a large ultraviolet/optical/infrared space telescope being planned for launch in the 2040s. The project was recommended in the National Academies Decadal Survey for Astronomy and Astrophysics Pathways to Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 2020s. The Habitable Worlds Observatory will be the first space telescope designed specifically to search for signs of life on planets orbiting other stars. This "super-Hubble" will provide powerful capabilities for transformational astrophysics, from our cosmic backyard of the solar system, to the distant universe, and everything in between. The project will leverage past NASA flagship investments from the Hubble Space Telescope, the James Webb Space Telescope, and the Roman Space Telescope. Critical to the success of the project is to draw on decades of lessons from the development of these previous telescopes and other NASA missions to streamline the development of the Habitable Worlds Observatory in order to decrease budget and schedule risks.

HWO↗