Northrop Grumman Corporation and teammate ATK have completed static testing of the primary mirror backplane support structure (PMBSS), moving NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope one step closer to its 2018 launch. The structure was delivered to Northrop Grumman’s facilities in Redondo Beach, completing a critical path program milestone. Static testing demonstrates that the backplane has the structural integrity to withstand the forces and vibrations of launch, and is the final test prior to starting the integration of the backplane with the rest of the telescope. More: http://bit.ly/1qg7omp.
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