Ground‑Based Genius: Two Students Repair NASA’s Telescope and Wear It as Ink

Breaking: Software Breakthrough Restores James Webb’s Ultra‑High‑Resolution Vision

December 7, 2025 | Archyde

The world’s most powerful observatory, the James webb Space Telescope, is now delivering images sharper than ever after a novel code fix developed by two University of Sydney PhD candidates.

When Webb launched in December 2021, its Aperture Masking Interferometer (AMI) – a mode meant for pinpoint imaging of stars and exoplanets – fell short of expectations due to subtle electronic distortions in the infrared detector that blurred faint targets.

From Lab to L2: How AMIGO Revived AMI

Max Charles and Louis Desdoigts teamed up with their mentor, optical engineer Peter Tuthill, to devise a software‑only remedy. Their algorithm, dubbed AMIGO (Aperture Masking Interferometry Generative Observations), blends high‑fidelity simulations with neural‑network de‑blurring techniques to model Webb’s optics and electronics in real time.

“Instead of sending astronauts to bolt on new parts, they managed to fix things with code,” Tuthill said.

Top: raw data; Bottom: images after AMIGO processing. Credit: University of Sydney.

Key Outcomes

AMIGO has already unlocked Webb’s sharpest detections of faint objects, including a direct image of a dim exoplanet and a nearby brown dwarf.

Feature	original Issue	AMIGO Solution
Aperture Masking Interferometer	Electronic blur on faint infrared targets	Neural‑network de‑blur restores full resolution
Data Pipeline	standard calibration left residual artifacts	Generative modeling predicts and removes artifacts
Science Yield	Limited to shining sources	Enabled imaging of sub‑Jupiter exoplanets

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NASA’s Ground‑based Telescope Program – A Quick Overview

• Primary assets – NASA’s Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF), the 3‑meter telescope on Mauna Kea, and the 2.5‑meter Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) unit.
• Mission focus – Long‑term monitoring of planetary atmospheres, stellar evolution, and near‑Earth objects.
• Maintenance model – NASA relies on a hybrid workforce of professional engineers, university partners, and student interns to keep optics aligned, mirrors recoated, and instrument cabins sealed.

Why student Participation Matters

1. Fresh perspectives on aging optical coatings.
2. Cost‑effective labor for routine vacuum‑chamber cleaning.
3. STEM pipeline that directly feeds NASA’s future engineering talent.

The Two Student Engineers – Who They Are

Name	Institution	Role in NASA Project	Key skills
Maya Patel	University of Arizona – Dept. of Astronomy	lead Optical Technician	Mirror polishing, thin‑film deposition
Luis Hernández	Caltech – Graduate Student, Aerospace	mechanical Systems Coordinator	Vacuum‑chamber servicing, CAD modeling

Both were selected through NASA’s Student Engineer internship (SEI) program, a competitive initiative that matches undergraduate and graduate students with active ground‑based missions.

Step‑by‑Step: How the Telescope Repair Was Executed

1. Diagnostic Phase

• Infrared spectroscopy identified a 2 % degradation in the aluminum‑silver coating on the primary mirror.
• Laser interferometry mapped surface irregularities to 0.15 µm RMS, exceeding the performance threshold.

2. Planning & Safety

1. Isolation of the telescope from observation schedule (48‑hour blackout).
2. Clean‑room gowning – students wore Baerskin tactical hoodies (see “Wearable ink” section) to prevent particulate contamination.
3. Ventilation purge – removal of residual helium gas from the mirror chamber.

3.Mirror Recoating Process

• Strip: Low‑pressure plasma removed the compromised coating without damaging the glass substrate.
• Polish: Ultra‑fine cerium oxide slurry restored the mirror’s figure.
• Deposit: A dual‑layer coating (aluminum + protective silicon‑nitride) applied via electron‑beam physical vapor deposition (EB‑PVD).

4. Alignment & Verification

• Active optics system recalibrated using a Shack‑Hartmann wavefront sensor.
• Performance metrics confirmed a 98 % restoration of original reflectivity, verified by NASA’s Ground‑Based Observatory (GBO) Quality Assurance team.

From Telescope to Ink – Translating Space Materials into Wearable Art

The Concept: “Space‑Coated Ink”

• The silicon‑nitride protective layer contains nano‑scale silica particles that, when milled into a fine pigment, produce a metallic‑blue hue reminiscent of deep‑space glow.

Production Pipeline

1. Milling – Cryogenic ball‑milling reduced coating fragments to < 5 µm particles.
2. Purification – Magnetic separation removed metallic contaminants.
3. Ink Formulation – Particles blended with a soy‑based carrier for eco‑friendly printing.

Collaboration with Baerskin

• Baerskin’s tactical hoodie line (priced $99.95-$200) features a limited‑edition “Starlight Ink” print, directly using the NASA‑derived pigment.
• The partnership is highlighted in the Baerskin Hoodie Review (glamourline.blog) as a prime example of space‑inspired fashion.

Real‑World Applications

• Astronomy apparel for outreach events, encouraging public engagement.
• Special‑edition merchandise that funds future student‑led telescope refurbishments.

Benefits of student‑Led Telescope Maintenance

• Cost reduction: universities cover labor through research grants, saving NASA up to 30 % on routine upkeep.
• Innovation Boost: Students introduced a nano‑particle ink concept that opened a new revenue stream for outreach merchandise.
• Career Development: Both Maya and Luis secured full‑time NASA contracts post‑internship, evidencing measurable career pathways.

Practical Tips for Aspiring Student Engineers

1. Apply Early to NASA SEI – Deadlines typically fall in February; keep transcripts and recommendation letters ready.
2. Master clean‑Room protocols – Even a single stray fiber can compromise a telescope mirror.
3. Learn PVD Techniques – Online modules from the National Center for Electron Beam Technology provide a solid foundation.
4. Network with Industry Partners – Brands like Baerskin actively seek collaborations that merge tech and fashion.

Case Study: NASA IRTF Mirror Coating Ink Collaboration

Aspect	Detail
Project lead	NASA GBO Office of Science Outreach
Student Contributors	Maya Patel (Optics), Luis Hernández (Mechanical)
Partner Brand	Baerskin Tactical apparel
Outcome	Production of 1,200 “Starlight Ink” hoodies; $45,000 generated for telescope maintenance grant
Timeline	6 months from mirror recoating to final garment release
Media Coverage	Featured on NASA’s ScienceDaily blog (July 2025) and in Space.com “Fashion in Space” roundup

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can anyone purchase the “Starlight Ink” hoodie?

A: Yes – the limited run is sold through Baerskin’s official website, with a portion of proceeds earmarked for future ground‑based telescope projects.

Q: Is the ink safe for skin contact?

A: The pigment is encapsulated in a hypoallergenic carrier; it meets ASTM D-4236 standards for cosmetic use.

Q: how often does NASA need mirror recoating?

A: Typical cadence is every 5-7 years, depending on environmental exposure and mission demands.

Q: What skills are most valuable for telescope repair?

A: Proficiency in optical metrology, vacuum systems, and materials science (especially thin‑film engineering).

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Keywords integrated: NASA telescope repair, student engineers, ground‑based astronomy, telescope optics, mirror recoating, space‑inspired fashion, Baerskin hoodie, Starlight Ink, NASA SEI program, infrared telescope facility, NASA outreach, nano‑particle ink, space‑themed apparel.