The launch of the James Webb Space Telescope has once again been delayed following the discovery of an issue.
The issue relates to a communication error between the observatory and the launch vehicle system. NASA hasn’t provided much more information aside from that, but has promised to provide more information by or before 17th December.
All of this means that the launch of the space telescope will now take place no earlier than 24th December.
The launch will take place at the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana. The telescope was stacked on top of an Ariane 5 rocket on 11th December, but it’s unclear whether the communication issue that was discovered will require an unstacking of the rocket.
Given that this telescope won’t be physically accessible once it’s in space, we’re hopeful the fix is one that can be done without needing to interact with the telescope.
This project is a monumental one. Not only has it cost over $10 billion to build, after years of delays we are finally at a point where the telescope will launch.
Once it’s in space however things become incredibly tense. As The New York Times explains in this excellent piece, the telescope will need to unfold and that requires moving some 344 points which could fail.
Once launched, the James Webb Space Telescope will be used to observe distant galaxies and perhaps even signs of the Big Bang.
We’re holding thumbs that there won’t be any more delays.
