From spy satellite to space telescope: The unlikely origins of NASA's Roman Space Telescope

NASA took the guts out of old spy satellites to build the groundbreaking Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope – but how? And why? Years of hard work and anticipation are culminating as we sit on the verge of NASA's launch of its next-generation space telescope. Set to lift off this upcoming Sunday (Aug. 30) aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, the Roman Space T

The top 3

  1. The Roman Space Telescope's NRO Mirror Heritage: The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope's 2.4-meter primary mirror was originally a donation from the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), an agency that builds surveillance and spy equipment.
  2. Scientific Tools with Unexpected Military Roots: Beyond space telescopes, other scientific advancements like the internet, GPS, and various medical technologies have origins in defense and military research and development.
  3. Most Significant Spin-offs from Classified Programs: Notable spin-offs from classified or defense programs include the internet (from DARPA), advancements in computing, and various sensor technologies that now benefit scientific research.

Sources

Open the full topic