In fact, developers and users do not like JavaScript, which is the programming language. But it turned out that language had a direct hand in providing the stunning images sent to Earth by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).
JavaScript is critical for James Webb
The telescope, one of humanity’s scientific achievements, is largely controlled by JavaScript files. And these files are based on a software development kit from 2002. The Integrated Science Instrument Module (ISIM), which is the heart of James Webb and is responsible for many sensors and functions, is controlled by the application called Script Processor Task. Behind this control lies a series of scripts written in JavaScript.
JWST has a set of pre-written scripts to do specific tasks, and scientists in the field can tell it to run those tasks. When they do, the JavaScripts will be interpreted by the script processor (Script Processor Task), which will then reach other applications and systems as needed depending on what the script requires.
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Why does the James Webb telescope use legacy systems?
According to the transfers, the language in which the scripts are written is called Nombas ScriptEase 5.00e. According to Nombas, ScriptEase 5.00e was last updated in January 2003. You may wonder why NASA uses such old software, but there are many explanations for this. These softwares are extremely simple and easy to modify. On the other hand, although JWST was sent into space in 2021, the project actually dates back to 1989. Considering that the construction of the telescope began in 2004, ScriptEase 5 was only 2 years old.
Space exploration and the products put forward in this context are the result of a very long development. Generally, projects are completed in 20-30 years. Therefore, although we think that old systems and equipment are used, they are actually quite young compared to the beginning of the project. Whatever is working inside the James Webb Space Telescope, the discoveries it makes and the pictures it sends are enormous, and that’s actually the most important thing.
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