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Both the number and size of micrometeorites is larger than what was modeled.

Hopefully it was just a fluke, but if not, this telescope will not survive it's intended lifespan.

As such, NASA has already started a project to optimize the orientation of the craft to minimize strikes.

"wavefront sensing recorded six localized surface deformations on the primary mirror that are attributed to impact by micrometeoroids. These occurred at a rate (roughly one per month) consistent with pre-launch expectations […] Of the six micrometeoroid strikes detected thus far through wavefront sensing, five had negligible effects".

So the overall number of impacts is consistent with the modeled rate, but the size of the C3 event was outside the modeled rate.

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