James Webb Space Telescope
The James Webb Space Telescope is NASA's active flagship infrared space observatory, developed with ESA and CSA. After launch on Ariane 5 VA256, Webb deployed its sunshield and segmented mirror, entered a halo orbit around the Sun-Earth L2 point, completed commissioning, and began transformative observations of the early universe, star and planet formation, and exoplanet atmospheres.
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Identity
- Aliases
- JWSTWebbNext Generation Space TelescopeNGST
- Name
- James Webb Space Telescope
- Status
- active
Details
- Astronauts
- -
- Description
- The James Webb Space Telescope is NASA's active flagship infrared space observatory, developed with ESA and CSA. After launch on Ariane 5 VA256, Webb deployed its sunshield and segmented mirror, entered a halo orbit around the Sun-Earth L2 point, completed commissioning, and began transformative observations of the early universe, star and planet formation, and exoplanet atmospheres.
- Destination
- Halo orbit around the Sun–Earth L2 point, approximately 1.5 million km from Earth, for infrared observations of the early universe, galaxy evolution, star and planet formation, and exoplanet atmospheres
- Launch Site
- Outcome
- Successful and ongoing. Webb launched successfully, completed all major deployments, entered its planned Sun-Earth L2 halo orbit, achieved diffraction-limited optical alignment, completed commissioning, released its first full-color science observations, and remains operational.
- Programs
- Start Date
- 2021-12-25
- Vehicle Families
Links
- Official Url
- https://science.nasa.gov/mission/webb/
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- April 12, 2026 at 22:30:27 UTC
- Updated Time
- August 22, 2026 at 14:44:10 UTC
- Image
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Other
- Affiliations
- Search Name
- James Webb Space Telescope JWST Webb Next Generation Space Telescope NGST
- Space Stations
- -
- Vehicles