James Webb Telescope (JWT) Secondary Mirror Deployment Begins

1-5-22: Planning and initial operations begin for moving the Secondary Mirror Support Structure (SMSS) into its operational position. Webb's secondary mirror is at the end of this structure. As it is deployed, its long booms will swing the secondary mirror out in front of the primary mirror. The secondary mirror plays an important role in reflecting the light from the primary mirror to where the instruments sit, behind the primary mirror. Courtesy NASA and Goddard Space Flight Center.