Having invested an estimated $ 10 billion and 25 years into theJames Webb Space Telescope , NASA may have obtain a much , much cheaper way to get scope above the atmosphere . The project is jell to plunge in April 2022 – but unlike the JWST , if the scope have it off asSuperBITdoesn’t work perfectly the first time , there will be enough more luck .
At 2.4 meters ( 7.9 human foot ) in diameter , theprimary mirrorof the Hubble Space Telescope is much modest than the great Earth - based telescopes , but without atmospheric distortions provides a clear view . Unfortunately not only are space scope expensive to set in motion but doctor errors is so challenge everything has to work the first time .
Balloons can reach above 99.5 percent of the Earth ’s air , afford telescopes almost as clear of a view as Hubble . However , two major obstacle have prevented their widespread use . In a lecture at theRAS National Astronomy MeetingUniversity of Toronto Ph.D. studentMohamed Shaabanwill present evidence that these have been whelm , opening the way of life to a new astronomical era .
Winds blow balloons around a pile , causing shaking that can smash their icon . However , in 2019 a test flight proved this could be overcome , with a 50 centimeter ( 20 inch ) mirror held steady to less than one thirty - 6th one-thousandth of a degree for more than an hour . The issue is images like the one above .
alas , helium balloon lose press , and this has made for flights lasting only a few nights . SuperBIT ’s full name is Superpressure Balloon - borne Imaging Telescope . The first part of the name come from NASA ’s young superpressure technology that take into account balloons to hold onto their He for month .
SuperBIT will establish from Wanaka New Zealand and , all endure to project , will circle the Earth 40 kilometers ( 24.9 international nautical mile ) high several prison term , reload its batteries with solar control panel by daylight and lead effigy all night . If things do n’t work perfectly , qualifying that ca n’t be carry remotely ( like Hubble’srecent switchto backup computer ) can be made upon its return to the terra firma . The $ 5 million missionary post monetary value also leaves launch the option of give birth multiple translation optimized for different use , such as wide - landing field wake .
The first SuperBIT will be much minor than Hubble , but the balloon is able of carrying a 2 - meter ( 6.6 - foot ) telescope , and a pattern for 1.5 meters ( 4.9 metrical foot ) is already in progress .
" New balloon technology induce visiting space cheap , easygoing , and environmentally friendly , " Shaaban said in astaement . " SuperBIT can be continually reconfigured and upgrade , but its first missionary work will determine the largest particle accelerator pedal in the Universe : hit between clusters of wandflower . " In the process , uranologist hope to get wind about the nature of dark subject .
For all SuperBIT ’s advantage , heat from the Earth will always forbid it from see far into the infrared , as the JWST can . Moreover , its images will look the same interference fromphotobombing satellitesthat is increasingly frustrating land - based commentator .
