![\"\"](\"https:\/\/testsite.tra-spacepark.org\/cachetest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/JWST-Assembly.jpg\")
<\/a>This was a particularly opportune time to visit because the Integrated Science Instrument Module, including the mirrors and the electronic instrument assembly was recently mated to the Spacecraft Assembly.\u00a0 So, the for first time, the entire observatory can be seen in near final form.\u00a0 Visitors on the October 15 tour were treated to a special viewing because the 70 foot long sunshield was deployed and tensioned (near flight-like configuration).\u00a0 The sunshield was deployed, but not tensioned by the time the second tour occurred.<\/p>\nJWST is currently in the Observatory Integration and Test phase, where the OTIS (Optical Telescope Element and Integrated Science Module) and the Spacecraft Element are being integrated for the final time. This phase is scheduled to run through June 2020 and is followed by three months of shipping and launch preparation activities. Launch is currently scheduled for the end of November, 2021.<\/p>\n
While waiting for the tour, visitors were treated to a video playing in the E2 Presentation Center entitled “Into the Unknown<\/a>”\u00a0 which described the JWST mission and challenges, and featured some of the many NG engineers and scientists working on the project.\u00a0 While in the High Bay Observation Deck, visitors also got a chance to watch the JWST deployment sequence<\/a>.\u00a0 Also, our visitors toured the recently updated \u201cAerospace in Motion Museum\u201d that is on the first floor of Building E2.<\/p>\n Special thanks for the success of the tours goes out to Garland Campbell, from the Northrop Grumman Corporate Citizenship office, who set up and helped conduct tours of the NIM.\u00a0 TRA volunteers included Dena Bouskos, Rich Captor, Mary Ann Chory, Charlie Clendening, Bob Doll, Annamarie Ellington, Reggie Jue, Martin Mohan, Stephanie Sundius, Jack Trost, and Don Urfrig.<\/p>\n Based on the interest expressed for this last tour, we will plan on additional events in 2020.\u00a0 We attempt to accommodate as many TRA members as possible.\u00a0 Let us know if you have suggestions that can make this a better experience.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"