Design and Structure The James Webb Space Telescope's primary mirror is a marvel of engineering, composed of 18 hexagonal segments that assemble into a large optical surface after unfolding in space. Each segment is an aspheric freeform, designed to maximize optical performance. Made from gold-plated optical-grade beryllium, the segments are: […]

The Significance of Lagrange Point L2 The James Webb Space Telescope occupies a strategic position in space—Lagrange Point 2 (L2). Located approximately 1.5 million kilometers from Earth, L2 offers a balance of gravitational forces from both the Earth and the Sun. This positioning provides several advantages for the telescope's operation: […]

Naming Controversy The James Webb Space Telescope faces ongoing controversy over its namesake. Critics allege that James Webb, NASA's second administrator, was complicit in discriminatory practices against LGBTQ individuals during his leadership roles in the 1950s and 1960s. Key points of contention include: NASA conducted an internal review of historical […]

Early Development of JWST The James Webb Space Telescope's origins trace back to the Space Telescope Science Institute in the late 1980s. Inspired by Riccardo Giacconi's challenge, scientists envisioned a successor to the Hubble Space Telescope that could observe infrared light. A 1989 workshop, "The Next Generation: A 10 m […]

Launch and Orbit The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) launched on December 25, 2021, from Kourou, French Guiana, aboard an Ariane 5 rocket. It now orbits the second Lagrange point (L2), approximately 1.5 million kilometers from Earth. This position offers several advantages: From L2, JWST can peer far into the […]