Spicy Nuggets

Prior to Roman’s launch, an SD card loaded with submitted names will be attached to this plaque where the square outline is.

After launch on August 30, Roman will journey way out to the second Sun-Earth Lagrange point (L2), the same orbit as our James Webb Space Telescope. At L2, the gravity of the Sun and Earth, together with an object’s motion around the Sun, let it stay lined up with Earth as they orbit. That will give Roman a relatively steady orbit without using much fuel. Like Webb, Roman will trace out a large orbit around the actual L2 point — much larger than the Moon’s orbit around Earth — and the two will easily be kept far apart.

Telescopes at L2 also have a constant, unobstructed view of a wide swath of the sky. Earth won't block much of Roman's view since it will be so distant! And at L2, heat from Earth, the Sun, and the Moon have less effect on infrared telescopes, which “see” heat.

The Roman Telescope model has its boarding pass! Do you have yours?

Send your name here. Submissions close July 16. Follow along with Roman’s road to launch at science.nasa.gov/blogs/roman!