I think it's more likely there'll be a problem with the multi-layer thermal shield.Buckethead 2.0 wrote: ↑Thu Aug 20, 2020 10:43 am And there are 300 events that could go wrong after launch, so the probability numbers go through the roof. My bet is at least one of those mirrors won't open up all the way. Just a hunch...
But I agree with nFA, that assembly in space would have allowed a lot of the highest risk post-launch processes to be avoided.
And would probably have made it easier to build in a 'return to LEO for maintenance' capability. Not just for repairs, but for replenishment of consumables.