The 2.4-meter primary mirror of NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope underwent its last visual examination at Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. Engineers verified that no contamination or deviations occurred during testing, ensuring the optical path and mirror alignment remained intact. This inspection included deploying the telescope's aperture cover to simulate operational conditions and utilizing high-resolution cameras with zoom lenses for detailed observation.
With the mirror passing all inspection requirements, the project stayed on track for its planned early September launch. The telescope's sunshade was also tested in deployed configuration, essential for blocking unwanted light during space observations. This milestone marked a critical readiness step before integration and final spacecraft assembly phases.
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NASA’s Roman Space Telescope Primary Mirror Gets Last Look ↗Source published 2026-05-29. This report was prepared with AI assistance from the linked primary-source material. Claims and limitations should be checked against the original announcement or research.