Mission Set To Explore Human History Through The Cosmos

NASA has set the date for the James Webb Space Telescope to be launched into orbit, where it will serve as a deep space observatory for the next ten years. The telescope will be launched December 18, 2021.

A major turning point for the mission was completing testing and establishing the launch date after coordination with Arianespace. Webb is led by NASA and partnered with the  ESA and the Canadian Space Agency. Ariane 5 will launch from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana located on the northeastern coast of South America. ESA is providing the Ariane 5.

The telescope is currently in its final configuration stages in Northrop Grumman’s Redondo Beach, CA facility. "Webb is an exemplary mission that signifies the epitome of perseverance," said Gregory L. Robinson, Webb's program director at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "I am inspired by our dedicated team and our global partnerships that have made this incredible endeavor possible. Together, we've overcome technical obstacles along the way as well as challenges during the coronavirus pandemic. I also am grateful for the steadfast support of Congress. Now that we have an observatory and a rocket ready for launch, I am looking forward to the big day and the amazing science to come."

The Webb telescope plans to explore every phase of cosmic history and help humans understand more details about the origins of our universe and how we fit into it. The mission will explore details from inside of our solar system all the way to distant observable galaxies.

FMI: www.webb.nasa.gov