Why Are there Holes in the James Webb Sunshield? (Explained by My Dad) - Smarter Every Day 270

When I was a kid my Dad would take me with him when he would "moonlight" and measure parts for people using Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMMs). I have one particular memory of him programming a CMM while I was looking at a book we got from the library of the drawings of Leonardo Da Vinci. I've always thought he has a wonderful way of describing complex phenomena and try to mimic his teaching techniques as best I can. I'm very proud of my Dad, and grateful to have been able to make this video with him. I'm also very impressed with the incredible work so many people did to make the James Webb Space Telescope happen. The amount of brute force brainpower that went into making it happen is INCREDIBLE. I dream of a day when we all work together as humans to dare mighty things and work on them together. Thanks for watching Smarter Every Day. It means a lot. Here's the link to the fun JWST shirt if you're interested. I wanted a shirt that had the maximum amount of JWST talking points. L2 Orbit path, sunshields, mirrors.... It's awesome. I commissioned an artist named Penny from the UK to design the graphic for the shirt and we're really happy with how it came out! Here's the link: www.smartereveryday.com/store . I'm not a merch guy, I just genuinely think it's cool and thought you might like to have one.

I absolutely LOVE that "the reason I took the job was because this device right here. I never used a 3D laser scanner before". Always keep learning and trying new things.

Your dad is always a welcome addition.

It's super impressive how you bring the human element into such a large project. This whole thing boils down to normal humans (super smart humans) all working together to accomplish something great. One person doesn't know everything, but everyone on the project is important. You do a good job of representing the 'human' aspect of the project. 10/10

I can't imagine what your dad felt when it launched, being a part of history, all those years of hard work leaving earth never to come back, changing our perception of the universe in ways we can't begin to comprehend. Your family must be so proud. Great video as always.

Dude, that last part when your father was looking at his work leave the planet and then saying "I want it to work" just had me in tears. So passionate. So powerful. Congratulations to everyone on the amazing work.

It's incredible to see you doing this with your dad 6 years ago. I wish I had videos of me with my dad. You're a blessed man Destin!

I lost my dad last year to a 14yr battle with cancer. He was a literal genius when it came to mirrors and optics and even has a few component patents in his name. There is still so much I wanted to learn from him and watching you with your dad and still learning from him really touched my heart!!

Every single aspect of this video is absolutely mind-blowing. Everything from the little marks on the sun-shield to the way the lasers work to the physics aspect of the thermal radiation just makes me want to live 1.000 years to see how Science evolves and improves. Thank you Destin!

There are so many layers to this video... A son spending time with his Dad. A Dad watching years of his life leaving the gravity well we call earth. A friend living a dream he never imagined as a child. Outstanding video Destin!

The silence your dad engaged in for a couple of seconds at 50:23, where you can see him forming thoughts after launch made me tear up to the brim. You really nailed to capture him so purely. Great work Destin. You and your dad are awesome people. Love you guys. Love your work.

Nearly made me cry seeing Destin’s dad watch the launch after all that hard work. Very cool Father / Son episode 👍👍

I just saw this today. As I was going through my email today, I saw a headline that said that the first image has finally come in from the James Webb space telescope. The scientists are ecstatic at the first image. Congratulations to your dad on being a big part of our exploration of the universe. Yon have every right to be proud of your dad. I am too!

Planning for a video 6 years in advance capturing the vital details and letting the viewers understand in simple way... You and your team have my utmost respect Destin, I have learnt so much from this channel while having fun at the same time, much respect for your dad to work on this prestigious project and explaining everything calmly, and Naveen proud of you - you made all Indians proud! 🤘

I love how "dad" says "I'd check that before I said it out loud." Just the idea that he knows what he knows, and admits to not knowing what he probably does know but wants to make sure he's displaying accurate info... beautiful and humble. LOVE IT!!

Man, I love seeing classically southern guys in academic roles. His dad sounds like every old guy in my home town. There is a verbal authority that only smart southerners have that I love to see.

I have spent years teaching 3D scanning measurement and the animation that you used to show the transformation of your scans to a common reference frame was fantastic. I can't tell you the number of times a simple color coded animation like that would have helped to describe why 3 common references are needed to transform 2 different measurements into the same coordinate system. You and your team do a amazing job of taking complex topics and making them easier to understand.

It must have been hard holding on to the footage for all those years. Must feel so good to finally be able to post it... and to be able to point and say "my dad did that."

Your dad inspires us! 💚

With how large and apparently fragile that shield is, I was surprised to see it under what appears to be a multi panel drop ceiling more suited to an office. Your videos are outstanding.