A full-scale model of the James Webb Space Telescope was built by Northrop Grumman, to provide a better understanding of the size, scale and complexity of this satellite. It was built and is supported entirely with Northrop Grumman internal funds. The model is constructed mainly of aluminum and steel, weighs 12,000 lb., and is approximately 80 feet long, 40 feet wide and 40 feet tall. The model requires 2 trucks to ship it and assembly takes a crew of 12 approximately four days. This model has travelled to a few sites since 2005. The photographs below were taken at some of its destinations.
The full-scale model was at the American Astronomical Society Meeting in Seattle, January 2007.
SPIE Orlando - 2006
The model was on display at The International Society for Optical Engineering's (SPIE) week-long Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentations conference ,May 25 - 30, 2006. Image credit: (left) Mark Clampin. (right) unknown.
Goddard Space Flight Center - 2005
The full-scale model was assembled on the lawn at Goddard Space Flight Center, and displayed during September 19 - 25 2005. The Webb Telescope team took a group photo with it. Seeing the people gathered next to it shows its scale nicely. Credit: NASA