The James Webb Space Telescope is safely stowed inside the fairing of ESAs Ariane 5 launch car, which is now on the launch pad undergoing final checks and fueling for a targeted liftoff at 12:20 GMT/ 13:20 CET on December 25 from Europes Spaceport in French Guiana. Credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace.
The James Webb Space Telescope is securely stowed inside the fairing of ESAs Ariane 5 launch car, which is now on the launch pad sustaining and going through last checks for a targeted liftoff at 12:20 GMT/ 13:20 CET on December 25 from Europes Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.
Webb will be the largest, most powerful telescope ever introduced into space. As part of an international collaboration contract, ESA is supplying the telescopes launch service using the Ariane 5 launch vehicle. Dealing with partners, ESA was responsible for the development and qualification of Ariane 5 adjustments for the Webb objective and for the procurement of the launch service by Arianespace.
Webb is a worldwide partnership in between NASA, ESA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).
By European Area Agency (ESA).
December 25, 2021.