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We update performance simulations and contrast predictions for JWST's coronagraphs based on the latest infor- mation on the as-built telescope and instrument properties, including both static and dynamic contributions to wavefront error. By combining optical modeling of the telescope, instruments and coronagraph optics along with STScI's rigorously-validated exposure time calculation engine, we develop updated contrast models including contributions from effects such as target acquisition residuals, stellar color differences, etc. We present assessments of the impact of wavefront error changes over time between science and PSF reference stars, using modeled wavefront drifts on various timescales based on available observatory structural/thermal/optical modeling and tested performance during the OTIS cryo test, extrapolated to on-orbit conditions. For NIRCam we explore tradeoffs between different occulting masks at a given wavelength. Between now and the start of Cycle 1 science, these and other updated simulations will enable the science community to prepare analysis tools and PSF subtraction software to hit the ground running with JWST coronagraphic observations.

Aligning and commissioning the James Webb Space Telescope's segmented mirrors after launch will last many months and involve the telescope itself, all science instruments, and all parts of the observatory ground system. In an effort to assess and demonstrate readiness of the complete end-to-end system - i.e. the flight optical telescope elements (OTE), the Integrated Science Instruments Module, the on-board operational scripts, and the ground processing infrastructure - we performed two operations tests during the JWST OTIS cryogenic campaign in 2017. They are the Wavefront Sensing and Control Demonstration activities at NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC), where we performed flight-like sensing and control using the flight software to command mirror moves and take measurements, and a "Shadow Mode test" at the Space Telescope Science Institute's Mission Operations Center (MOC), where we demonstrated processing of the JSC data through the entire ground system infrastructure. Overall, these tests demonstrated that the full system that will support OTE commissioning is soundly designed although still not fully mature. This paper focuses on the operations and systems testing aspects and some lessons learned. We also report on a series of Wavefront Rehearsals being held at the MOC that are providing additional opportunities to build team readiness in operating the ground system as a whole using high fidelity observatory simulators

A subset of the Wavefront Sensing and Controls (WFSC) operations for JWST were demonstrated during its recent cryo-vac testing using the flight telescope and instruments, and a functional simulation of the spacecraft and ground system. The demonstration had three goals: to confirm the operation of the flight data collection scripts, to check the WFSC optical components, and to verify the coordinates and influence functions that will be used for flight WFSC. In this paper, we present the results and lessons learned from this demonstration.

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Optical Simulation Testbed (JOST) is a tabletop experiment designed to study wavefront sensing and control for a segmented space telescope, including both commissioning and maintenance activities. JOST is complementary to existing testbeds for JWST (e.g. the Ball Aerospace Testbed Telescope TBT) given its compact scale and flexibility, ease of use, and colocation at the JWST Science and Operations Center. The design of JOST reproduces the physics of JWST’s three-mirror anastigmat (TMA) using three custom aspheric lenses. It provides similar quality image as JWST (80% Strehl ratio) over a field equivalent to a NIRCam module, but at 633 nm. An Iris AO segmented mirror stands for the segmented primary mirror of JWST. Actuators allow us to control (1) the 18 segments of the segmented mirror in piston, tip, tilt and (2) the second lens, which stands for the secondary mirror, in tip, tilt and x, y, z positions. We present the full linear control alignment infrastructure developed for JOST, with an emphasis on multi-field wavefront sensing and control. Our implementation of the Wavefront Sensing (WFS) algorithms using phase diversity is experimentally tested. The wavefront control (WFC) algorithms, which rely on a linear model for optical aberrations induced by small misalignments of the three lenses, are tested and validated on simulations.

The James Webb Space Telescopes segmented primary and deployable secondary mirrors will be actively con- trolled to achieve optical alignment through a complex series of steps that will extend across several months during the observatory's commissioning. This process will require an intricate interplay between individual wavefront sensing and control tasks, instrument-level checkout and commissioning, and observatory-level calibrations, which involves many subsystems across both the observatory and the ground system. Furthermore, commissioning will often exercise observatory capabilities under atypical circumstances, such as fine guiding with unstacked or defocused images, or planning targeted observations in the presence of substantial time-variable offsets to the telescope line of sight. Coordination for this process across the JWST partnership has been conducted through the Wavefront Sensing and Control Operations Working Group. We describe at a high level the activities of this group and the resulting detailed commissioning operations plans, supporting software tools development, and ongoing preparations activities at the Science and Operations Center. For each major step in JWST's wavefront sensing and control, we also explain the changes and additions that were needed to turn an initial operations concept into a flight-ready plan with proven tools. These efforts are leading to a robust and well-tested process and preparing the team for an efficient and successful commissioning of JWSTs active telescope.

Coronagraphic Target Acquisition (TA) is an important factor that contributes to the contrast performance and typically depends on the coronagraph design. In the case of JWST, coronagraphic TAs rely on measuring the centroid of the star's point spread function away from the focal plane mask, and performing a small angle ma- neuver (SAM), to place the star behind the coronagraphic mask. Therefore, the accuracy of the TA is directly limited by the SAM accuracy. Typically JWST coronagraphic observations will include the subtraction of a reference (either a reference star, or a self-reference after a telescope roll). With such differential measurement, the reproducibility of the TA is a very important factor. We propose a novel coronagraphic observation concept whereby the reference PSF is first acquired using a standard TA, followed by coronagraphic observations of a reference star on a small grid of dithered positions. Sub-pixel dithers (5-10 mas each) provide a small reference PSF library that samples the variations in the PSF as a function of position relative to the mask, thus compen- sating for errors in the TA process. This library can be used for PSF subtraction with a variety of algorithms (e.g; LOCI or KLIP algorithms, Lafreniere et al. 2007; Soummer, Pueyo and Larkin 2012). These sub-pixel dithers are executed under closed-loop fine guidance, unlike a standard SAM that executes the maneuver in coarse point mode, which can result in a temporary target offset of 1 arcsecond and would bring the star out from behind the coronagraphic mask. We discuss and evaluate the performance gains from this observation scenario compared to the standard TA both for MIRI coronagraphs.

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Optical Simulation Testbed (JOST) is a tabletop workbench to study aspects of wavefront sensing and control for a segmented space telescope, including both commissioning and maintenance activities. JOST is complementary to existing optomechanical testbeds for JWST (e.g. the Ball Aerospace Testbed Telescope, TBT) given its compact scale and flexibility, ease of use, and colocation at the JWST Science & Operations Center. We have developed an optical design that reproduces the physics of JWST's three-mirror anastigmat using three aspheric lenses; it provides similar image quality as JWST (80% Strehl ratio) over a field equivalent to a NIRCam module, but at HeNe wavelength. A segmented deformable mirror stands in for the segmented primary mirror and allows control of the 18 segments in piston, tip, and tilt, while the secondary can be controlled in tip, tilt and x, y, z position. This will be sufficient to model many commissioning activities, to investigate field dependence and multiple field point sensing & control, to evaluate alternate sensing algorithms, and develop contingency plans. Testbed data will also be usable for cross-checking of the WFS&C Software Subsystem, and for staff training and development during JWST's five- to ten-year mission., Proceedings of the SPIE, 9143-150. 13 pages, 8 figures