There are a few things that are new or larger than have ever been tried before, so some trepidation is natural. Fortunately, NASA likes to test and verify before launch, and problems with some of these new items are responsible for a portion of the delays and cost overruns. These verifications should help assure us all that Webb will work properly as long as it reaches its operational orbit. Meanwhile, I have my fingers crossed for luck, too.

Ray Van Dune: The deal was the same with Hubble, though what Europe provided was different. They launch Webb and get a guaranteed percentage of observation time per year on the telescope for Europeans.

I hope that I am wrong, we need this telescope, and if it works as designed will open previously closed horizons, but man, I have huge reservations.

Ray Van Dune: Government payloads are self-insured by the government. If Webb is lost during launch it is gone.

NASA made its barter deal with Arianespace to use the Ariane 5 partly because of its reputation for reliability.

Skunk Bucket: I don’t know how that happened. Fixed to billion, as it should have been and I was certain it was. Thanks.

I’ve got the horrible premonition that something’s going to go wrong with this whole project and it will all be for naught. Nothing in particular to back this up, but I’m going to be on pins and needles until Webb is in position and operating nominally.