Development and Optimization of Kinematic Mounts for NIRCam: a JWST Science Instrument

Finite element analysis was vital to the design and optimization of the kinematic mounts for the Near Infrared Camera (NIRCam) instrument The design had to meet dueling structural requirements driven by 12G launch loads, a survivability of bulk cool down from room temperature to 22 K, minimum first mode of 50 Hz and mass allocation constraints. Additionally the design has to meet stability and Integrated Science Instrument Module (ISIM) interfaces when cooled to 22K.