NASA’s $8.8-billionJames Webb Space Telescope,the world’s largest and most expensive one, has successfully
passedfinal
thermal vacuum test, making its parts cleared for use in
space.
The 6.5-meter diameter telescope has18 gold-coated mirrorsand
a tennis court-sized sun-shield to gather light and protect its instruments.
The telescope set tolaunch
in 2021.It took20 yearsto build.
James
Webb Space Telescope (JWST):
Operators:NASA / ESA / CSA / STScI
Mission
duration:5 years (design),
10 years (goal)
Launch
date:March 30, 2021
(planned)
Launch
mass:6,500 kg
It is planned to be thesuccessor to the Hubble Space
Telescope.
It will provide greatly improved resolution and
sensitivity over the Hubble and will enable a broad range of investigations
across the fields ofastronomy
and cosmology.
