Nancy Grace Roman Telescope live updates: NASA readies Roman for launch
Follow NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope and its launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket to begin its mission to explore the universe.
NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is set to embark on its mission of discovery as preparations for launch progress at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Roman Space Telescope, named after the pioneering astronomer Nancy Grace Roman, will explore the enigmas of dark energy, hunt for exoplanets, and delve into the physics of distant stars.
Scheduled to launch aboard SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket from Launch Complex-39A, the Roman Space Telescope is expected to lift off no earlier than 7:26 a.m. EDT (1126 GMT) on Sunday, Aug. 30. The observatory has been undergoing final launch preparations at KSC, with technicians loading 290 gallons (1,100 liters) of hydrazine fuel into the spacecraft on July 25.
Once Roman is fully fueled and attached to its payload adapter, it was encapsulated within Falcon Heavy's payload fairing earlier this month. A launch-day dress rehearsal took place on Aug. 20, followed by a successful Flight Readiness Review on Aug. 21, which officially cleared the telescope for its final launch preparations.
The Roman Space Telescope, now housed in its payload fairing, will be transported to SpaceX's hangar at LC-39A for attachment to the Falcon Heavy rocket. After this crucial step, the observatory will be rolled out to the pad for its historic launch this week.
Written by urgent.news from Space.com's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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