NASA’s James Webb Space telescope has fully deployed its 21 foot, gold coated primary mirror. This was a final stage of all major spacecraft deployment to prepare for science operations. It was a joint effort with European agency and Canadian Space agency.
“ Today, NASA achieved another engineering milestone decades in making. The journey yet is not complete. James Webb Space Telescope is an unprecedented mission that is one of the precipice of seeing the light from first galaxies and discovering the mysteries of our Universe, “ said NASA administrator Bill Nelson.
The world’s largest and most complex space science telescope will now begin moving its 18 primary mirror segmented to align the telescope optics. “ I am so proud of the team- spanning continents and decades that delivered the first of its kind achievement,” said Thomas Zurbuchen associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate in NASA Headquarters in Washington.
Soon Webb will undergo a third mid course correction burn- one of three planned to place the telescope precisely on orbit around the Second Lagrange point commonly known as L2. This was the first time a NASA led mission has ever attempted to complete a complex sequence to unfold as observatory in space. It is a remarkable achievement for our team and the world.