Checking Webb Twice

Every major NASA project needs to undergo a number of reviews during its development. These reviews are occasions for everybody working on the project to get together and report on progress, designs, and plans in front of a group of independent engineers and specialists. The whole purpose is to verify that the development team has [...]

Labeled diagram of the Webb Telescope's partsEvery major NASA project needs to undergo a number of reviews during its development. These reviews are occasions for everybody working on the project to get together and report on progress, designs, and plans in front of a group of independent engineers and specialists. The whole purpose is to verify that the development team has a credible design for the mission.In April, the James Webb Space Telescope passed the most important of these reviews, the Critical Design Review. Several weeks ago I participated in the main rehearsal of the review — something that in our jargon is called the “dry run.” Anybody attending one would understand the “dry” part. The rehearsal is several days long and covers the whole project, including areas well outside one’s field of expertise. All this without many unexpected questions or the “suspense” of ...