May 25, 2005

The technical status of the JWST mission is excellent. With the exception of the NIRSpec - which started late - the three other instruments have passed their Preliminary Design Reviews and are beginning development of long lead items. All major technology developments (detectors, multi-shutter arrays, lightweight Be mirrors, cryogenic actuators, etc.) have reached Technology Readiness Level 6 (TRL) readiness. Brush Wellman has produced the twenty Be segment blanks and has delivered them to Axsys Technologies for light-weighting and diamond figuring. The JWST Project is close to completing the "definition" phase and is moving to detailed design to support the Mission Preliminary Design Review scheduled for April 2006 and theNon-advocate Review sometime later.