FGS News

2015

2015 August 27
Preparations for the third cryo-vacuum test (CV3) of the Integrated Science Instrument Module (ISIM) at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center continued throughout the summer. For the first time, the flight configuration of the ISIM was vigorously shaken – not stirred! – and bombarded by intense acoustical waves to simulate the harsh conditions of launch. Both NIRISS and FGS sailed through their “system functional tests” before and after these perturbations with no issues. Additional tests to confirm the electromagnetic compatibility of the subsystems of ISIM under conditions that simulate normal operations were also completed successfully. Now that the robustness of the ISIM has been demonstrated, it’s “full speed ahead” for the beginning of CV3 in late October!

2015 February 12
FGS/NIRISS became the first instrument to be reinstalled in the Integrated Science Instrument Module (ISIM) following the "Half-Time Show." All the planned hardware changes were successfully completed and both instruments passed their electronic check-outs at room temperature with flying colors. FGS/NIRISS is ready for the final series of tests at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center!

2014

2014 December 17
Karl Saad, the Canadian Space Agency’s Project Manager for FGS/NIRISS, visited STScI to discuss plans for post-launch commissioning with the CSA-sponsored Instrument Scientists and other members of the FGS/NIRISS Team. Pictured from left-to-right are: Swara Ravindranath, AndrÈ M., Karl Saad, and Pierre Chayer.

2014 December 10
“Half-Time Show” activities for FGS/NIRISS began with the removal of the flight hardware from the Integrated Science Instrument Module (ISIM) in the large cleanroom at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. The picture shows the moment of extraction, as captured by the ISIM WebbCam. The “Half-Time Show” is a busy time for the COM DEV team, since it represents the final opportunity to replace inferior hardware. For FGS, the priority is to replace both detectors and some of the read-out circuitry. Although it was the last package to be removed from ISIM, FGS/NIRISS will be the first to be reinstalled later in January.

2014 September 23
The FGS/NIRISS Instrument Teams at STScI proudly display their "Significant Achievement Awards" from the NASA JWST Project. The certificates recognize the Team's "extraordinary dedication and contributions" to NIRISS/FGS. Pictured from left-to-right are: Anand Sivaramakrishnan; Sherie Holfeltz; Alex Fullerton; Deepashri Thatte; Kevin Volk, AndrÈ M., Swara Ravindranath; Paul Goudfrooij; Pierre Chayer; and Van Dixon. Missing: Ed Nelan (Photo by Michael Wolfe). What a Team!

2014 June 16
FGS, along with the four science instruments, began the second intensive cryogenic test campaign in the large vacuum chamber at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. The campaign will last for about 3 .5 months, and will exercise the capabilities of all the instruments.

2013

Integrated Science Instrument Module 2013 March 1

NIRISS and the FGS became the first flight instruments to be attached to the Integrated Science Instrument Module (ISIM), which is currently located in the large clean room at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.

2012

2012 December 21

NIRISS and the Fine Guidance Sensor successfully completed room-temperature functional tests at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.

2012 November 15

NIRISS and FGS became the first JWST instruments to be accepted formally by NASA during the Delivery Review Board meeting at the Goddard Space Flight Center.

2012 July 30

The Canadian Space Agency delivered NIRISS and the Fine Guidance Sensor to NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center on July 30, 2012. There the instruments will be inspected, tested, and incorporated into Webb's Integrated Science Instrument Module (ISIM).

2011

2011 November

The FGS and the TFI hardware that will become NIRISS began its final cryogenic performance test campaign at the Canadian Space Agency's David Florida Laboratory in Kanata, Ontario. The tests are scheduled to be completed in early January, 2012.

2011 April 6

The FGS and TFI underwent an alignment and risk mitigation campaign in a cryogenic environment at the David Florida Laboratory (DFL) in Kanata, Ontario (Canada) in Dec 2010 and Jan 2011. Preparations are currently underway for the final test activities in the summer and fall of 2011.

2010

2010 September 8

The Canadian Space Agency has delivered engineering test unit (ETU) of the Fine Guidance Sensor to NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. The ETU will be used to test interfaces between the FGS instrument and the Webb Observatory. For more information read CSA New Release or NASA Feature.