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> Building the self-sensing and error-recovery logic to support a "level 5" automated unfolding is wasteful

Very true, especially if they tried to do all that the first time.

In a way, this stepwise deployment is a test run for a future version that can do it a little bit more automated.

I've worked on a bespoke science experiment not too dissimilar to JWST (though much cheaper). These types of machines never resemble anything like mass produced parts. All of the tooling is custom made for one shot. The next machine will be the same story. What we take forward to the next machine are the lessons learned and technology developed.

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