JWST

Pandemic to cost NASA up to $3 billion
A NASA audit concluded that costs imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic on the agency could reach $3 billion, with several major science and exploration programs accounting for much of that cost.

JWST moving towards October launch
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope is making continued progress for a launch in October as engineers close out a series of technical issues with the spacecraft but deal with one new problem.

JWST remains on track for October 2021 launch
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope remains on schedule for a launch in a little more than a year, but the program is still dealing with some technical issues that could eat into its schedule reserve.

Pandemic may delay several NASA astrophysics missions
Several NASA astrophysics missions in various stages of development are likely facing delays because of the coronavirus pandemic, an agency official said.

NASA still grappling with effects of coronavirus pandemic
Four months after closing centers because of the coronavirus pandemic, NASA has been able to keep its highest priority missions on track, even as others have suffered delays.

NASA delays JWST launch by seven months
NASA announced July 16 that it is delaying the launch of its largest-ever space observatory, the James Webb Space Telescope, by seven months to address both technical issues as well as the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

NASA expects to cover JWST launch slip with budget reserves
NASA hopes to keep the costs of additional delays in the James Webb Space Telescope within the program’s existing reserves and thus avoid asking Congress for additional funding.

NASA confirms JWST will miss March 2021 launch date
The head of NASA’s science directorate confirmed June 10 that the James Webb Space Telescope will miss its March 2021 launch date, a slip that was all but inevitable as the coronavirus pandemic slowed work on the spacecraft.

Work on JWST ramps up again
NASA and Northrop Grumman are increasing work on the James Webb Space Telescope that slowed during the coronavirus pandemic, but the agency has yet to confirm a new launch date for the mission.

Limited work continues on JWST
While NASA has resumed some work on the James Webb Space Telescope, project officials say even that limited level of activity will soon come to a halt because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Coronavirus pauses work on JWST
NASA has suspended work on the James Webb Space Telescope as it prioritizes what agency missions require people to be on site during the coronavirus pandemic.

GAO warns of more JWST delays
A report by the GAO Jan. 28 concluded it was unlikely that NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope will launch on schedule next March, with a delay of several months possible.


JWST remains on schedule for March 2021 launch
Despite a limited amount of schedule reserve remaining, both NASA and Northrop Grumman are cautiously optimistic that the James Webb Space Telescope will remain on schedule for launch in March 2021.

JWST schedule margin shrinks
While NASA achieves milestone assembling and testing the James Webb Space Telescope, a key manager said the mission only has a few months of schedule reserve left ahead of a March 2021 launch.