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How to achieve nanometer precision in space?

Breaking Taps · explainer · Watch on YouTube

Mechanical & precision engineeringSpace exploration & spaceflight

What it is

Breaking Taps explains how the cryogenic mirror actuators on the James Webb Space Telescope achieve nanometer precision using flexures. It shows a 3D-printed replica and how one motor handles both coarse and fine motion.

Why Hacker News recommends it

Commenters repeatedly recommend it in JWST threads as a great explanation of clever mechanical design that is accurate and long lasting.

  • 4 people recommended it
  • 3 different months
  • 1 strong recommendations
  • first 2022, last 2026

What HN commenters said

  1. “I highly recommend”

    Explains JWST flexure actuators with a 3D-printed replica

    infogulch, 2022-03 · Strong recommendation · in “First images from James Webb telescope exceed expectations”

  2. “Here a nice video that explains the mechanism that aligns each mirror”

    Explains how one motor aligns each JWST mirror segment

    blenderdt, 2022-03 · Recommendation · in “First images from James Webb telescope exceed expectations”

  3. “It's a great watch and shows how well thought out design can produce accurate and long lasting parts.”

    Shows how JWST actuators achieve accuracy and longevity

    mywacaday, 2022-03 · Recommendation · in “Mars helicopter Ingenuity completes 22nd flight”

  4. “there's a great youtube video explaining how the actuators to align the James Webb mirrors work”

    Explains JWST mirror actuators and offers a 3D printable version

    bigiain, 2026-01 · Recommendation · in “The (likely?) cheapest home-made Michelson interferometer”

Excerpts from Hacker News comments, linked to the originals. Summaries and labels were written by a language model from those comments.

Topics: jwst, flexures, actuators, mechanical engineering, cryogenics

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