[12-04-07 – Satellite Today] Northrop Grumman began integration and testing on the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS), the company announced Dec. 3.
    Integration and testing began with preparations for installation of electrical harnesses, following installation of the propulsion subsystem. Work will continue throughout the next nine months as the spacecraft’s subsystems and NASA-provided science payload are integrated onto the spacecraft structure and culminate in environmental testing next summer.
    The spacecraft, which will search for water on the moon, is scheduled to be launched in late 2008 or early 2009.
    Separately, Northrop Grumman has completed a preliminary design review of NASA’s James Webb Telescope, verifying the integrated performance of all the subsystems in the optical telescope element the company announced Dec. 3.
    Machining of the 18 primary mirror flight segments was completed earlier this year and the backplane, which supports the primary mirror, is being fabricated.
    Northrop Grumman is NASA’s prime contractor for the Webb Telescope, leading the design and development effort under contract to NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md.