Matthew Nelson
Northrop Grumman has concluded a series of launch stress tests for a NASA-built space telescope slated for launch in 2021.
The company said Monday it released the James Webb Space Telescope’s adjustable tower assembly and five-layer sunshield component to demonstrate the observatory's deployment capacity.
Scott Willoughby, vice president and program manager of the James Webb Space Telescope at Northrop, said the observatory validated its communication features during launch simulations.
“I am looking forward to the team’s continued achievements as we march down our path towards launch and mission success,†Willoughby added.
The tests follow the performance of post-environmental tests and integration efforts for the observatory’s science instrument module, spacecraft and optical telescope elements.
