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Nancy Grace Roman Telescope live updates: SpaceX readying Roman for launch aboard Falcon Heavy rocket
Space • • general
Key Points:
- NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is officially cleared for launch after completing the Launch Readiness Review at Kennedy Space Center, with liftoff scheduled for August 30 at 7:26 a.m. EDT atop a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.
- The telescope will be delivered to the Earth-Sun Lagrange Point 2, approximately 930,000 miles from Earth, where it will maintain a stable orbit to conduct observations focused on exoplanets, dark matter, and dark energy.
- Weather conditions for the Sunday morning launch are currently favorable, with a backup launch window available on August 31 if needed due to weather or other delays.
- In the days leading up to launch, Roman was transported to SpaceX’s hangar at Launch Complex-39A, sealed inside the Falcon Heavy payload fairing, and underwent final fit checks and tests.
- After launch, Roman will take about 30 days to reach its destination and begin a roughly three-month checkout period before starting its scientific mission.
