James Webb Space Telescope: Project Nearing Completion, but Work to Resolve Challenges Continues “Since 2019, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) project, one of the agency’s most complex science missions, has made considerable progress toward launch–now planned for October 2021–by resolving technical issues, but some schedule and cost challenges remain. For example, in March 2021, NASA officials reported that launch vehicle anomalies that the […]

James Webb Space Telescope to launch in October 2021, ESA “The launch of the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope (Webb) on an Ariane 5 rocket from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana is now planned for 31 October 2021. NASA has announced the decision, based on a recently completed schedule risk assessment of the remaining integration and test activities before launch, accounting for impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic and technical challenges. […]

House Science Committee Demands Answers on James Webb Space Telescope Delays “In questioning, Smith asked whether Northrop Grumman had taken responsibility for the problems listed in the IRB report. “In Mr. Young’s report there were several instances of preventable human error that were pinpointed that led to millions of dollars in cost overruns. I’m wondering if those employees are still employed by Northrop Grumman,” Smith asked. Bush could not confirm […]

NASA’s next great space telescope is stuck on Earth after screwy errors, Washington Post “Mission success is the cornerstone of everything we do. Getting it right is the most important thing,” said Scott Willoughby, program manager for the Webb at Northrop Grumman. “No, we don’t need a culture change. We need people to understand how hard it is. We need people to know that we’re going to get it right.” […]

Keith’s note: The following full page color advertisement by Northrop Grumman appears on page A5 of today’s Washington Post (larger image). “MAKING HISTORY REQUIRES MISSION SUCCESS. Northrop Grumman is proud to lead the industry team of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope – the largest, most complex and powerful space telescope ever built. Webb will fundamentally alter our understanding of the universe, and we are focused on ensuring that this once-unthinkable […]

This graph of time vs launch date for JWST (courtesy of @jtuttlekeane) is funny and profoundly frustrating. pic.twitter.com/kLytMYmy7V — Corey S. Powell (@coreyspowell) March 27, 2018 Updated plot of #JWST Budget/Launch Date projections. Each blue dot was one such media advisory. I'm genuinely not trying to be snarky – JWST will do transformational science – but this … this isn't a good look. pic.twitter.com/Vw5ZALSeGC — Grant Tremblay (@astrogrant) June 26, […]

According to #JWST IRB chair Tom Young simple fixes that weren't implemented by @NorthropGrumman ended up costing #NASA $600 million. Delays now cost $1 million/day. One would hope that @NASA is examining ways to get Northrop Grumman to refund the cost of fixing their mistakes. pic.twitter.com/pRWrDdOVrJ — NASA Watch (@NASAWatch) June 28, 2018 Heads up @NorthropGrumman There is a precedent for @NASA to follow for seeking reimbursement for contractor errors […]

NASA Is Delaying The Launch Of Its $9 Billion Space Telescope — Again, Buzzfeed “Make no mistake, I’m not happy sitting here telling you this,” NASA’s Thomas Zurbuchen told reporters on a briefing about the delay. He deflected criticism from spacecraft contractor Northrop Grumman, saying, “we are part of the team that caused this problem and we are going to have to solve it together.” Blowing the budget cap for […]

Media Telecon on Status of James Webb Space Telescope, June 27th “NASA will host a media teleconference at 1 p.m. EDT [17:00 UTC], Wednesday, June 27, to provide an update on the agency’s James Webb Space Telescope and the findings of an external independent review board. Webb will be the world’s premier infrared space observatory and the largest astronomical space science telescope ever built. Audio of the call will stream […]

NASA Announces Independent Review Board Members for James Webb Space Telescope “The Independent Review Board review process will take approximately eight weeks. Once the review concludes, the board members will deliver a presentation and final report to NASA outlining their findings and recommendations, which are expected to complement recent data input from Webb’s Standing Review Board. NASA will review those findings and then provide its assessment in a report to […]