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NASA names next-generation space telescope after Dr. Nancy Grace Roman

Today, NASA announced that it is naming its next-generation space telescope, the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST), in honor of Dr. Nancy Grace Roman, NASA’s first Chief Astronomer, who paved the way for space telescopes focused on the broader universe. The newly named Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope (or Roman Space Telescope, for short), is set to launch in the mid-2020s.

Read full press release.

Dr. Roman is credited with making the Hubble Space Telescope a reality, leading to her nickname "mother of Hubble." She was also a great friend of the ASP's and shared a short story of her life through our AstroBeat articles.

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