NASA hoped to send the James Webb telescope into space by December 22. However, its launch was delayed again. If you’ve been following the device’s departure from the world closely, you’ve probably come across this postponement news a few times.
In an announcement posted on the project’s official page, NASA said the James Webb team is working on a communication issue between the telescope and the Ariane 5 launch vehicle. For this reason, he stated that there is no possibility of launching before 24 December.
NASA wants to send the James Webb telescope before the end of 2021!
The James Webb project has suffered many misfortunes since its development began in 1996, for a variety of reasons, including over budget and major design changes. Especially after the pre-flight tests scheduled for 2020 were suspended due to the COVID-19 outbreak, NASA was striving to launch on October 18, 2021.
But after testing by the agency and prime contractor Northrop Grumman, it was determined that the telescope would not be ready until November or December this year. NASA previously requested a thorough check to make sure the telescope was not damaged after the unexpected release of a clamp band securing James Webb to the launch vehicle. For this reason, it announced that the launch date, which was planned as 18 December, has been moved to the 22nd.
NASA said that if all goes as planned this time, December 24 is the earliest possible launch day that can be scheduled. The telescope is expected to move towards the second Lagrangian point of the Earth-Sun system after Christmas Eve.
NASA said it will reveal more details about the new launch program on December 17. When James Webb reaches his destination, it will far exceed Hubble’s abilities, allowing for clearer observation of very distant objects.
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