NASA activates Roman Space Telescope camera in orbit, ScienceDaily reports

The short version

• NASA successfully activated the 300-megapixel Wide Field Instrument and its 18 infrared detectors on the Roman Space Telescope.[ScienceDaily]
• Engineers transmitted test data to Earth and verified communications across the Coronagraph Instrument.[ScienceDaily]
• The observatory continues in-flight commissioning and remains slated to release initial science images by early 2027.[ScienceDaily]

Key facts

• NASA activated the Wide Field Instrument, a 300-megapixel infrared camera, on the Roman Space Telescope.[ScienceDaily]
• The instrument's 18 infrared detectors were activated after cooling down to minus 225 degrees Fahrenheit.[ScienceDaily]
• Roman's Coronagraph Instrument finished checkouts of its electronic, digital, and mechanical systems.[ScienceDaily]
• The telescope remains on target to publish its inaugural scientific images in early 2027.[ScienceDaily]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• NASA just powered up Roman’s massive 300-megapixel cameraScienceDaily - Science