JWST primary mirror technology development lessons learned

H. Philip Stahl

doi:10.1117/12.860264

23 August 2010 JWST primary mirror technology development lessons learned

H. Philip Stahl

Proceedings Volume 7796, An Optical Believe It or Not: Key Lessons Learned II; 779604 (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.860264
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2010, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Mirror technology is a critical enabling capability for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). JWST requires a Primary Mirror Segment Assembly (PMSA) that can survive launch, deploy and align itself to form a 6.5 meter diameter (25 square meter collecting area) primary mirror with a 131 nm rms wavefront error at temperatures < 50K and provide stable optical performance. At the inception of JWST in 1996, such a capability did not exist. A highly successful technology development program was initiated which achieved TRL-6 in 2007. This paper reviews the technology development program, the methodology for assessing that TRL-6 was achieved, and the importance of an Engineering Development Unit (EDU). Additionally, this paper captures the author's lessons learned.

Citation Download Citation

H. Philip Stahl "JWST primary mirror technology development lessons learned", Proc. SPIE 7796, An Optical Believe It or Not: Key Lessons Learned II, 779604 (23 August 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.860264

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