JAKARTA – Space telescope James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) In recent weeks it has become viral because of its ability to capture various objects of the universe with very sharp and detailed.
This is because the resolution of the James Webb telescope camera is very massive. One recorded photo, has a resolution of 150 million pixels. The question is, how to save such a very large photo?
What’s even more surprising, it turns out telescopic head James Webb only carry a very very small Solid State Disk (SSD). Namely, 68 GB only, which is only enough to take pictures in a day.
Why does a satellite telescope with a price tag of USD 10 billion (Rp 149 trillion) only carry an SSD with a capacity of 68 GB? In fact, the price of the largest SSD on the market that can be purchased today has reached 100 Terrabytes (TB).
Apparently, this was intentional by NASA. Well, here’s why:
1. Extreme Conditions
The James Webb telescope operates millions of kilometers from Earth, under extreme conditions. Because the telescope is bombarded with radiation, it must be able to operate at a temperature of minus 50 degrees. So, the SSD is specifically designed to be able to operate under various extreme conditions and undergo a long certification process.
2. Easier to Operate
Although not as fast as SSDs sold today, they can be operated via 48 Mbps command and data handling subsystems (ICDH). At the same time, the James Webb telescope can transmit data back to Earth at 28 Mbps over a 25.9 Ghz Ka-band connection to the Deep Space Network.
3. Faster Sending Data
– Compared to Hubble, the James Webb telescope can collect much more data. Hubble can only be 1-2 GB per day, while James Webb 57 GB per day. The telescope can also transfer all data back to Earth within 4.5 hours. Each passes through two contact windows 4 hours a day, with 28.6 GB of science data transmission. This means that the James Webb telescope does not need to store data within the telescope itself.
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4. 60GB Most Suitable
According to NASA research, a 60GB SSD capacity that can last for 10 years due to wear and radiation. Meanwhile, 3 percent of the hard disk is used as technical data storage and telemetry data. Well, after 10 years, it’s still a question mark whether James Webb will be as strong as Hubble which can last up to 32 years.
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