Prime contractor Northrop Grumman Corp. [NOC] is conducting tests on a newly constructed full-scale evolutionary pathfinder of the future James Webb Space Telescope sunshield.

Northrop will verify its design concept and deployment techniques. Testing, including folding and deployment trials, will continue through next year.

The five-layer sunshield consists of thin membranes made from a polymer-based film and supporting equipment such as spreader bars, booms, cabling, and containment shells.