The James Webb Space Telescope (what could maybe be called a 'better Hubble telescope') is due to be launched in 2018.
Its primary mirror spans 6.5 metres, compared to Hubble's 2.5, giving it seven times more light-gathering power. It will also gather from the infrared spectrum instead of gathering visible light: this will allow it to 'see' past clouds of dust, to gather more information about the beginning of the universe.
It will NOT be fixable like the Hubble, though. It is going to be sitting out at L2 (Lagrange point 2 of the Earth-Sun system) which is 1,500,000 kilometers (930,000 mi) from Earth, directly opposite to the Sun. At this point, with the Earth, moon and sun behind it, the spacecraft can get a clear view of deep space.
Where exactly is L2 for the Earth-Sun system? You can work it out for yourself (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagrangian_point#L2)
or look at pretty pictures
1. http://webbtelescope.org/webb_telescope/technology_at_the_extremes/graphics/fig-4-webb-orbit-big.jpg
2. http://www.stsci.edu/jwst/overview/design/orbit1.jpg
Why do you have to state 'L2 for the Earth-Sun system'?
[Continues...]
In celestial mechanics, the Lagrangian points (/ləˈɡrɑːndʒiən/; also Lagrange points, L-points, or libration points) are positions in an orbital configuration of two large bodies where a small object affected only by gravity can maintain a stable position relative to the two large bodies. The Lagrange points mark positions where the combined gravitational pull of the two large masses provides precisely the centripetal force required to orbit with them. There are five such points, labeled L1 to L5, all in the orbital plane of the two large bodies. The first three are on the line connecting the two large bodies and the last two, L4 and L5, each form an equilateral triangle with the two large bodies. The two latter points are stable, which implies that objects can orbit around them in a rotating coordinate system tied to the two large bodies.
ANY 3 body system will have 5 Lagrange points! (I did not know that).
http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/james-webb-space-telescope-hubble-1.3557887
Related Stories
James Webb Space Telescope reaches launch pad for Christmas liftoff
The James Webb Space Telescope is due to launch on Saturday (Dec. 25) during a 32-minute window that opens at 7:20 a.m. EST (1220 GMT). The massive observatory will blast off from Kourou, French Guiana, atop an Ariane 5 rocket operated by European launch provider Arianespace. You can watch launch coverage live at Space.com beginning at 6 a.m. EST (1100 GMT) courtesy of NASA or you can watch directly at the agency's website.
ESA launch kit (PDF).
Previously:
Space science: The telescope that ate astronomy
JWST Primary Mirror Starting To Come Together
New Space Telescope's Giant Gold Mirror Unveiled (April 29th)
Telescope That 'Ate Astronomy' Is on Track to Surpass Hubble
James Webb Space Telescope Vibration Testing Completed
Launch of James Webb Space Telescope Delayed to Spring 2019
Launch of James Webb Space Telescope Could be Further Delayed
JWST: Too Big to Fail?
GAO: James Webb Space Telescope Launch Date Likely Will be Delayed (Again)
Launch of James Webb Space Telescope Delayed to May 2020, Could Exceed Budget Cap
NASA Announces JWST Independent Review Board Members
Screws and Washers Have Fallen Off JWST Amid Testing and Independent Review
Launch of James Webb Space Telescope Delayed Again, This Time to March 2021, Cost at $9.66 Billion
NASA Administrator at House Hearing: WFIRST Could be Delayed to Help Pay for JWST
James Webb Passes Critical Mission Review for 2021 Launch, Final Testing Nearing Completion
NASA Ominously Chooses Halloween 2021 to Launch Long-Delayed Space Telescope
The James Webb Space Telescope, NASA's Next Great Observatory, Passes Final Ground Tests
The James Webb Telescope has a Launch Date
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope Passes Crucial Launch-Simulation Tests
James Webb Telescope: Preparations Resume for December 22 Launch
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope Fully Fueled for Launch
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Monday June 20 2016, @10:11PM
Yo mama's ass has 5 Lagrange points!
(Score: 2) by bob_super on Tuesday June 21 2016, @12:29AM
"It's not what it looks like, officer. This is a science experiment designed to find the influence of a metallic unibody on the 5 Lagrange points"
(back seat, or trunk?)
(Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Monday June 20 2016, @10:12PM
If it's not pointed at the earth then it's useless for spying on brown people to make sure they're obeying their American masters.
(Score: 1) by khallow on Monday June 20 2016, @10:16PM
ANY 3 body system will have 5 Lagrange points! (I did not know that).
The third body has to have considerably less mass than the other two and the Lagrange points are relative to the position of the third body. So putting another Earth-sized planet at one of the Earth-Moon Lagrange points will change the dynamics (the Moon becomes the third body relative to the other two).
(Score: 3, Informative) by BsAtHome on Monday June 20 2016, @10:34PM
Hm, Earth mass 5.9e24 kg, Moon mass 7.3e22 kg, Sun mass 2e30 kg, Telescope mass 1e4 (probably less).
I guess they have their asses covered on the mass issue by 18 orders of magnitude.
It would be quite a feat to launch a telescope with a significant mass to change the Lagrange points, considering that the mass has to be subtracted from the Earth's mass. But then again, we could all have some fun when our bellies are not feeling so heavy anymore (please fund the space agencies for a project of that kind).
(Score: 1) by khallow on Monday June 20 2016, @11:01PM
(Score: 2) by BsAtHome on Monday June 20 2016, @11:11PM
Yes, please. Your volcanic ass is clouding my window. You might also consider temperature control. The glow is not good for my beauty sleep.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday June 21 2016, @12:11AM
That's a funny looking probe. It looks like a raft with a satellite dish on it. It even surpasses the Apollo lander, which looked like 4 pins stuck into a wad of foil. What's your candidate for funniest-looking spacecraft?
On a more serious note, it's scary that it's not designed to be repaired, like Hubble is. Then again, most spacecraft aren't. Hubble was lucky in that regard, especially since they fouled up the original optics. Cross your rafts, I mean fingers.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday June 21 2016, @11:32PM
it was designed as such since it will be located at a distance too far for manned crews to reach
unless we get our shit together and have manned capability beyond LEO then we'll have to settle with robust sattelites
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday June 21 2016, @01:14AM
SpaceX can do it.
Make a grabber. Go. Grab. Spacewalk. Return.
(Score: 4, Funny) by Snotnose on Tuesday June 21 2016, @01:37AM
Guy likes to start his bike and rev it a good 2-3 minutes before he actually leaves, or 2-3 minutes after coming home and turning the damn thing off. Think this mirror can find his penis for him?
When the dust settled America realized it was saved by a porn star.
(Score: 2) by Absolutely.Geek on Tuesday June 21 2016, @02:46AM
Unlikely; it will be in his wife's purse; along with his balls. Hence the need for a vestigial penis.
Don't trust the police or the government - Shihad: My mind's sedate.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday June 21 2016, @03:30AM
Probably not [xkcd.com].