The Integration and Test Campaign of The Coronagraph Instrument

The Coronagraph Instrument (CGI) on the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope (ROMAN) is an instrument designed to directly image planets orbiting other stars and measure the spectra associated with their atmospheres. It does this with a few varieties of coronagraphic masks, which filter the starlight without blocking the planet light by controlling diffraction at several planes. CGI is the most complex instrument JPL has ever built. Conceptualizing and executing the II&T campaign was not a simple task and required years of planning and preparation. The II&T team had the challenging responsibility of identifying the needs and risks, to outlining the optimal flow for this multifaceted instrument. This paper describes the planning, preparation and execution of II&T campaign as well as the challenges faced during the planning during the height of the pandemic without face-to-face interaction and the flexibility and resilience required to adapt to daily changes to delivery schedules. We also show that despite all the roadblocks faced, the II&T team executed and delivered the Coronagraph Instrument to the next level of integration successfully and on schedule.