Currently the Flight Model instrument is being assembled in the integration facility at RAL. All of the major subsystems have been fitted to the Primary Structure and the electrical harnesses have been routed between them allowing them to start operating as a single unit.
The next step in the test sequence is to measure the end-to-end optical alignment using a specially designed piece of equipment called the ASMIF. This replicated the flight footprint of the instruments on the ISIM structure, and is equipped with alignment tools that accurately represent the location of the James Webb Space Telescope's (JWST) image plane. By checking the alignment of the FM instrument against the ASMIF, we can be confident that the Mid-InfraRed Instrument (MIRI) will be producing sharp images.
For more information please contact: RAL Space Enquiries
