The cryogenic mirror actuators on JWST are amazing feats of engineering. Capable of long travel and nanometer precision, able to survive rocket launch, cryogenic temperatures and hard vacuum… they are really impressive devices. And they use flexures!
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==== Links ====
- "Cryogenic Nano-Actuator for JWST": https://www.esmats.eu/amspapers/pastpapers/pdfs/2006/warden.pdf
- Orbital Mechanics Podcast: https://theorbitalmechanics.com/
- NASA Goddard Spaceflight Center’s video on mirror alignment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dh41uouutU
- Ball & Ball Aerospace history, because lol what? 😂 https://www.ball.com/our-company/our-story/history-timeline
- Thingiverse: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5232214
- PrusaPrinters: https://www.prusaprinters.org/prints/129373-jwst-mirror-actuators
- Shirt is from Destin over at Smarter Every Day: https://www.bonfire.com/store/smarter-every-day/
==== Timeline ====
0:00 Mirror actuator
2:11 Actuator specs
3:06 3D printed replica
4:04 Fine positioning stage
6:47 Coarse positioning stage
8:37 Torsional stabilizer
9:08 Hexapod arrangement
9:38 Assembling and printing notes
CleverEngineeringNASA's
