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Raytheon Intelligence & Space announced that its ground test and flight operations systems were used to support the launch and deployment of the James Webb space telescope, as the NASA telescope undertakes interstellar observation tasks.
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The company, a Raytheon Technologies business, explained that their software delivers command and control, telemetry analysis and transmission of data between ground stations and the telescope.
Currently, Raytheon’s ground control software is being used to support the Mission Operations team during by providing operational insight into the telescope’s health and performance.
“Raytheon Technologies has a long history with this revolutionary observatory,” Kristin Robertson, president of space & C2 for RI&S, said.
“From observatory development, test, and integration through the launch in December, we’ve been supporting the international effort, which will discover more about our universe than ever before.”
According to the company, while businesses typically begin development of ground control capabilities after the building has commenced, the company began creating the ground controls earlier than normal.
This resulted in the company’s “Test Like You Fly” idea incorporated into the project earlier on and creating a more integrated product.
“The observatory is smart,” Walt Burns, RI&S program manager for the Flight Operations System, said.
“We upload an observation plan, and Webb autonomously maneuvers to the targets and executes the observations defined in the plan.
“This is a very special mission, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; the telescope operates in the infrared, seeing through dust and ultimately observing light from shortly after the Big Bang.”
[Related: Raytheon tapped to deliver payload for missile warning system]
