m+p Coda Monitors Lifting of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope

The James Webb Space Telescope is one of the most exciting science projects at present. NASA recently used an m+p Coda software system to monitor the critical lifting and mating of the Optical Telescope Element and Integrated Science Instrument Module (OTIS) for the James Webb Space Telescope to its vibration test fixture.

The monitoring system was based on 20-channel analog/digital converter m+p VibRunner measurement hardware with externally summed force sensors. The scope of the operation was to minimize the stress on the OTIS while moving it into position and to monitor vertical and shear static forces to determine correct alignment of the structure to the fixture. During the lifting operation all forces were constantly measured by the m+p Coda software and verified against user-defined force limits, the values were displayed in real time.

m+p Coda’s versatility and vast application capability made it a good fit for this project and, thanks to m+p international US operations, the system was quickly adapted and delivered in under a week to provide NASA a monitoring solution without the need for extensive design work or expensive custom development.

Read more in the article “m+p international Coda Software Monitors Lifting of JWST”, Aerospace Testing International, March 2017.