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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
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A friend of mine won't get a divorce, because he hates lawyers more than he
hates his wife.
(Score: 3, Informative) by hendrikboom on Saturday December 25 2021, @02:05PM (11 children)
It's in orbit now.
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday December 25 2021, @02:35PM
funny that the info graphics show shadows on the cold side.
https://www.jwst.nasa.gov/content/webbLaunch/deploymentExplorer.html [nasa.gov]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday December 25 2021, @02:43PM
How long til it reaches Mars and initiates planetary oxygenation?
(Score: 2) by crafoo on Saturday December 25 2021, @03:12PM (1 child)
Damn I missed the launch. I just assumed it would be pushed back again!
I was watching Scott Manley's video yesterday on Webb and I think he said it will take about 2 weeks to get into the final orbit out past the moon-earth L2 point. They undershot on the upper stage because there was a risk it would be an over-performing engine and send the telescope out past it's orbit, with too much energy for the telescope to use it's fuel to return.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday December 25 2021, @05:12PM
>> Damn I missed the launch. I just assumed it would be pushed back again!
Yeah, I'd put aside some time in 2029 too.
(Score: 2, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday December 25 2021, @07:34PM (2 children)
Making it past the swirling swarm of space junk around our poor old planet is a big step. The things that Hubble brought us must be appreciated and not forgotten. Webb is the next stage, the next generation - decades on. I feel privileged to live to see the wonders this new instrument will show us about the universe.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday December 26 2021, @02:58AM (1 child)
Not really. Most of what is up there is easily avoided if you are just passing through. The trouble happens when you stay in near Earth orbit, because repeated near-misses means something will eventually hit.
(Score: 2) by FatPhil on Sunday December 26 2021, @07:50PM
Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people; the smallest discuss themselves
(Score: 2) by coolgopher on Saturday December 25 2021, @10:29PM (2 children)
Did hell just freeze over??
(Score: 3, Insightful) by hendrikboom on Sunday December 26 2021, @12:35AM (1 child)
Well, if you read Dante, you'll know that the innermost circle of Hell is already a permanently frozen waste.
(Score: 2) by coolgopher on Sunday December 26 2021, @11:18AM
So... telling Musk to go to hell is merely encouragement for his existing endeavour?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday December 26 2021, @07:52AM
This is just the URL to Google's news on the JWST.
https://news.google.com/stories/CAAqNggKIjBDQklTSGpvSmMzUnZjbmt0TXpZd1NoRUtEd2lyM3VTLUJCRm9XZU5rd0IzOEV5Z0FQAQ?hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US%3Aen [google.com]