This is the test backplane of the James Webb Space Telescope (called the pathfinder) being moved by crane from its packing case over to the large assembly stand in the cleanroom NASA Goddard. We'll be installing some spare mirrors on it and then sending it to NASA Johnson for testing. This move of the pathfinder also served as practice for when the flight backplane arrives.
The backplane is like the telescope's spine. It supports the primary mirror segments and has a large boom which extends to hold the secondary mirror.
Credit: Maggie Masetti
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