“It’s going to give us a better understanding of our universe and our place in it: who we are, what we are, the search that’s eternal,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said.
Protecting the observatory is a wispy, five-layered sunshield, vital for keeping the light-gathering mirror and heat-sensing infrared detectors at subzero temperatures. At 70 feet by 46 feet , it’s the size of a tennis court.
In all, hundreds of release mechanisms need to work — perfectly — in order for the telescope to succeed. “Like nothing we’ve done before,” said NASA program director Greg Robinson. NASA’s James Webb telescope is going to change our understanding of the universe forever. Maurice te Plate of the European Space Agency, who is a systems engineer for the telescope, joined LX News Now host Eric Alvarez to explain why it is a “game changer.”
NASA is shooting for 10 years of operational life from Webb. Engineers deliberately left the fuel tank accessible for a top-off by visiting spacecraft, if and when such technology becomes available.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
In Photos: See The Dramatic Final Images Of NASA’s $10 Billion Webb Space Telescope After Its Christmas Day LaunchThe best images from the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope.
Read more »
Gemma Chan’s Favorite Colorful Moisturizing Lipstick Is Only $10—Here’s Where You Can Find ItThe $10 Moisturizing Lipstick Gemma Chan Swears by for Rich Color and Soft, Smooth Lips
Read more »
18 makeup brush sets you need to perfect your beauty routine — starting at $10From foundation to eye shadow, your application will look flawless every time.
Read more »
Space telescope launched on daring quest to behold 1st stars | AP NewsThe world’s largest and most powerful space telescope rocketed away Saturday on a high-stakes quest to behold light from the first stars and galaxies and scour the universe for hints of life. NASA's James Webb Space Telescope soared from French Guiana on South America’s northeastern coast, riding a European Ariane rocket into the Christmas morning sky.
Read more »
Space telescope launched on daring quest to behold 1st starsThe world’s largest and most powerful space telescope rocketed away Saturday on a high-stakes quest to behold light from the first stars and galaxies and scour the universe for hints of life. “What an amazing Christmas present,” said Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA's science mission chief. First, the telescope’s enormous mirror and sunshield need to unfurl; they were folded origami-style to fit into the rocket's nose cone.
Read more »