NASA powers on Roman Space Telescope instruments for first time

NASA has begun commissioning the Nancy Grace Roman observatory, launched August 30; the telescope is about three months from reaching L2. The 300-megapixel WFI infrared camera and coronagraph passed initial checks, calibration will take about another month, and first science images are expected in early 2027.

• Telescope launched August 30 and is traveling to L2 nearly 1.6 million km from Earth
• 300-megapixel WFI camera cooled to -183°C, detectors activated
• Coronagraph undergoing 30-day decontamination and remote checks
• Fuel supply will last 22 years, first images in early 2027