The tensioning of the sunshield has begun (1), after a review of all systems. It is expected to take 2-3 days. The first layer, the one closest to the Sun, has already finished (this afternoon). Four more to go.
One might say the tension is going up, and down, depending on perspective!
Found an interesting article from NASA on the Webb's four instruments for data acquisition. These are:
- Near Infrared Camera
- Mid Infrared Instrument
- Fine Guidance Sensor
- Two Near Infrared Spectrographs
Cooling these instruments is one of the steps that will take quite a while, since the coldest must reach less than 7 K (2). This article offers some remarkable insight into how these instruments will be so sensitive, and tease out various details of faint, distant objects.
"Webb Team Moving Forward With Sunshield Tensioning"
1.
https://blogs.nasa.gov/webb/2022/01/...ld-tensioning/
"NASA’s Webb Telescope Will Have the Coolest Camera in Space "
2.
https://www.nasa.gov/feature/jpl/nas...amera-in-space