vthokie wrote:
Is the James Webb Space Telescope a (more or less) secure program at
this point? Has the design been finalized? Has construction begun?

I'm guessing that it was intended from the start to go up on an
expendable launch vehicle, since I've heard no mention of any impact
on the program due to the shuttle's retirement. What type of orbit
will it be in? Also, what is its expected lifespan?

http://ngst.gsfc.nasa.gov/

Paul