We just finished the first cryo test on the first Primary Mirror.  The test has been going on since December 2008 and has been a long haul of testing and analysis for all involved.  However, all the work paid off and another huge milestone on the way to a successfully built, launched, and deployed working telescope.  I can’t help but pause for a second and think “wow, this thing might actually work!”

Here’s a pic of two mirrors inside of the cryovac chamber we do all the testing in.

 Link to my JWST experiences http://larkinflight.com/blog/science/jwst/

A press release on the first Cryo Mirror test we just finished!

http://www.nasa.gov/topics/technology/features/mirror_cryo.html

A few minute video of the removal of A1 and the EDU.  Some great shots of the mirrors and equipment and some of team! 

JWST Mirror Video