JWST primary mirror technology development lessons learned

Mirror technology is a critical enabling capability for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). JWST requires a Primary Mirror Segment Assembly (PMSA) that can survive launch, deploy and align itself to form a 6.5 meter diameter (25 square meter collecting area) primary mirror with a 131 nm rms wavefront error at temperatures < 50K and provide stable optical performance. At the inception of JWST in 1996, such a capability did not exist. A highly successful technology development program was initiated which achieved TRL-6 in 2007. This paper reviews the technology development program, the methodology for assessing that TRL-6 was achieved, and the importance of an Engineering Development Unit (EDU). Additionally, this paper captures the author's lessons learned.

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