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Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope

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Mission: Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope

Astrophysics · Sun-Earth L2

The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is a NASA infrared space telescope with a 2.4 m (7.9 ft) wide field of view primary mirror and two scientific instruments. The Wide-Field Instrument (WFI) is a 300.8-megapixel multi-band visible and near-infrared camera, providing a sharpness of images comparable to that achieved by the Hubble Space Telescope over a 0.28 square degree field of view, 100 times larger than imaging cameras on the Hubble. The Coronagraphic Instrument (CGI) is a high-contrast, small field of view camera and spectrometer covering visible and near-infrared wavelengths using novel starlight-suppression technology. Roman objectives include a search for extra-solar planets using gravitational microlensing, and probing the expansion history of the Universe and the growth of cosmic structure, with the goal of measuring the effects of dark energy, the consistency of general relativity, and the curvature of spacetime.

Where to watch

Official Webcast Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope Launch NASA · English Official Webcast Roman Space Telescope Mission SpaceX · English Official Webcast Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope Launch NASA · English

Timeline

  1. T−00:53:00 GO for Prop Load
  2. T−00:50:00 Stage 1 Propellant Load
  3. T−00:45:00 Stage 1 LOX Load
  4. T−00:35:00 Stage 2 Propellant Load
  5. T−00:18:30 Stage 2 LOX Load
  6. T−00:07:00 Engine Chill
  7. T−00:00:59 Startup
  8. T−00:00:45 GO for Launch
  9. T−00:00:20 Tank Press
  10. T−00:00:06 Ignition
  11. T+00:00:00 Liftoff
  12. T+00:01:08 Max-Q
  13. T+00:02:24 SBECO
  14. T+00:02:27 Boosters Separation
  15. T+00:02:32 Boosters Flip
  16. T+00:02:43 Boosters Boostback Burn Startup
  17. T+00:03:48 Boosters Boostback Burn Shutdown
  18. T+00:03:51 MECO
  19. T+00:03:54 Stage 2 Separation
  20. T+00:04:00 SES-1
  21. T+00:04:15 Fairing Separation
  22. T+00:06:19 Boosters Entry Burn Startup
  23. T+00:06:29 Boosters Entry Burn Shutdown
  24. T+00:07:23 Boosters Landing Burn
  25. T+00:07:40 Boosters Landing
  26. T+00:08:28 SECO-1
  27. T+00:24:33 SES-2
  28. T+00:26:32 SECO-2
  29. T+00:31:31 Payload Separation

Updates

  • Launch success with telescope solar panels/sunshade deployed. source
  • Payload deployed. source
  • Liftoff! source
  • Updated launch weather, 70% GO. source
  • Official Webcast by NASA has started source
  • Now targeting Aug 30 at 11:26 UTC source
  • Updated launch weather, 50% GO (launch window per https://x.com/spaceflightnow/status/2093717878302216462). source
  • Now targeting Aug 30 at 11:25 UTC source
  • Updated launch weather, 60% GO. source
  • GO for launch. source
  • Tweaked T-0. source
  • Setting GO. source
  • Added tentative launch time. source
  • NET August 30. source
  • NET late August. source
  • May move up to NET early September. source
  • NET September 28. source
  • NET September. source
  • Adding launch NET October 2026 source