Do not let the technical success of Webb make anyone think that we should have done it that way, or should ever repeat it. The future must lie in space assembly, not origami.
I’m glad it worked, but I would not have done it that way. I’d have used those billions to develop technology for assembling large space structures. This is the first, and probably last origami telescope. Future instruments will be built in space.
It’s this week, and I usually attend, since I can drive down to San Diego, but the covid restrictions are too much of a PITA for me to want to invest the time and money. It’s not AIAA’s fault; it’s idiotic California restrictions. I wonder if they’ll decide to move it to Florida if this continues?