Northrop Grumman Completes Thermal Testing on James Webb Space Telescope

[Satellite Today 07-07-09] Northrop Grumman has completed testing on a core section model of NASA‘s James Webb Space Telescope, Northrop Grumman announced July 6.
    The core model, built by Northrop Grumman, is a thermal facsimile of the telescope’s central region and stands about 17.5 feet tall and 17 feet wide. The test represents the first large-scale thermal performance and demonstration test for the telescope after a decade in development.
    “At this early juncture, it appears that our test objectives were achieved. The team gathered a tremendous amount of data that we’ll review over the coming months to assess the implications for the current observatory design,” Martin Mohan, program manager for Northrop Grumman’s aerospace Systems sector, said in a statement.