James Webb Space Telescope - Program Status

Program Status

The mission had been working towards a launch date in 2014, but during the summer of 2010 an independent review panel determined that 2015 was the earliest possible launch date, and even that would require a significant influx of additional funding. Notably, this review commended the JWST project for being in excellent technical shape with most flight hardware making good progress to completion. The delay and cost overruns are due to an unrealistic original budget and insufficient program management. In response, NASA instituted significant management changes in the JWST project, but the need for increased funding has led to a substantial mission delay. As of June 2011, it appears likely that JWST will launch no sooner than 2017 or 2018. A more specific launch date plan should become determined by the end of 2011, pending the FY2012 US federal budget process.

By 2011, the JWST program is in the final design and fabrication phase (Phase C). As is typical for a complex design that cannot be changed once launched, there are detailed reviews of every portion of design, construction, and proposed operation. New technological frontiers have been pioneered by the program, and it has passed its design reviews. In the 1990s it was unknown if a telescope so large and light was possible.

In April 2006, the program was independently reviewed following a re-planning phase begun in August 2005. The review concluded the program was technically sound, but that funding phasing at NASA needed to be changed. NASA has re-phased its JWST budgets accordingly. The August 2005 re-planning was necessitated by the cost growth revealed in Spring 2005. The primary technical outcomes of the re-planning are significant changes in the integration and test plans, a 22-month launch delay (from 2011 to 2013), and elimination of system level testing for observatory modes at wavelength shorter than 1.7 micrometers. Other major features of the observatory are unchanged following the re-planning efforts.

As of the 2005 re-plan, the life-cycle cost of the project was estimated at about US$4.5 billion. This comprises approximately US$3.5 billion for design, development, launch and commissioning, and approximately US$1.0 billion for ten years of operations. ESA is contributing about €300 million, including the launch, and the Canadian Space Agency about $39M Canadian. As of May 2007 costs were still on target, but by 2010 cost over-runs were impacting other programs, though JWST itself remains on schedule.

In January 2007, nine of the ten technology development items in the program successfully passed a non-advocate review. These technologies were deemed sufficiently mature to retire significant risks in the program. The remaining technology development item (the MIRI cryocooler) completed its technology maturation milestone in April 2007. This technology review represented the beginning step in the process that ultimately moved the program into its detailed design phase (Phase C).

In March 2008, the project successfully completed its Preliminary Design Review (PDR). In April 2008, the project passed the Non-Advocate Review. Other passed reviews include the Integrated Science Instrument Module review in March 2009, the Optical Telescope Element review completed in October 2009, and the Sunshield review completed in January 2010.

In April 2010, the telescope passed the technical portion of its Mission Critical Design Review (MCDR). Passing the MCDR signified the integrated observatory will meet all science and engineering requirements for its mission. The MCDR encompassed all previous design reviews. The project schedule underwent review during the months following the MCDR, in a process called the Independent Comprehensive Review Panel, which led to a re-plan of the mission aiming for 2015, but as late as 2018. The spacecraft design, which passed a preliminary review in 2009, will continue toward final approval in 2011.

In April 2011, cryogenic testing of a six-mirror array began. This test is to ensure the mirrors perform to specifications at the temperatures they will encounter.

In July 2011, the United States House of Representatives Appropriations Committee on Commerce, Justice and Science proposed cancelling the telescope project because it "is billions of dollars over budget and plagued by poor management". The estimated cost had risen to $6.5 billion at that time. As of August 2011, it is estimated to cost $8.7 billion for the telescope and five years of operation, and launch in 2018. However, on 18 November 2011 the first appropriations bill of the 2012 United States federal budget was passed, maintaining funding for the telescope.

Even with the funding for the telescope secured, the program status remains controversial while the telescope components are being completed.