Preparing the NIRSpec/JWST science data calibration: from ground testing to sky

Understand

The Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) is one of four instruments aboard the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).

• NIRSpec is developed by ESA with AIRBUS Defence & Space as prime contractor.
• The calibration of its various observing modes is a fundamental step to achieve the mission science goals and provide users with the best quality data from early on in the mission.
• Extensive testing of NIRSpec on the ground, aided by a detailed model of the instrument, allow us to derive initial corrections for the foreseeable calibrations.