NASA's Roman Space Telescope Integrates Sunshade and Outer Barrel, Advancing Towards 2027 Launch

NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope achieves key integration milestone at Goddard Space Flight Center, Maryland: * The deployable aperture cover (sunshade) has been successfully integrated with the outer barrel assembly. * The sunshade, made of reinforced thermal blankets with Kevlar, shields the telescope from stray light and micrometeoroid impacts. * The outer barrel assembly maintains stable temperature and provides additional shielding. * Post-integration, deployment and thermal vacuum testing are underway to ensure functionality in space. * Solar panels will be integrated this spring, with full observatory integration by year-end. * The mission is on track for completion by fall 2026 and launch by May 2027.