The science instruments are the heart of the James Webb Space Telescope. The four science instruments will be contained within the Integrated Science Instrument Module or ISIM. This unit will house the four main instruments that will detect light from distant stars and galaxies, and planets orbiting other stars.
The ISIM structure (pictured left) is like a chassis in a car providing support for the engine and other components.
Mid-Infrared Instrument, or
MIRI - provided by the European Consortium with the European Space Agency
(ESA), and by the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
Many different smaller parts go into the whole ISIM structure. These include the ISIM Structure Subsystem; ISIM Thermal Control Subsystem; ISIM Control and Data Handling Subsystem; ISIM Flight Software; and ISIM Harness Assemblies.
