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Loading contentAstronomy · Space Missions
The launch and operation of the great infrared observatory.
The James Webb Space Telescope launched in December 2021 aboard an Ariane 5 rocket, after decades of development. It is a partnership of NASA, the European Space Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency.
Rather than orbiting Earth like Hubble, Webb travelled to a region near the Sun–Earth L2 point, roughly a million miles away, where it can keep its giant sunshield between itself and the Sun and stay extremely cold.
This entry covers the mission — its launch and operations. For the observatory itself, including how it sees in infrared, see the James Webb entry under Space Telescopes.
Verified imagery of James Webb Space Telescope will appear here.
Prepared for official NASA / ESA integration. We publish only openly licensed and public-domain media, with full credit, license, and source for every image.
Our sources & licensing policy →December 25, 2021
Launch
Webb launches on an Ariane 5 rocket from French Guiana.
January 2022
Arrival at L2
Webb reaches its orbit near the Sun–Earth L2 point and unfolds its mirror and sunshield.
July 2022
First images
The first full-color science images and spectra are released.
Astronomy
The great infrared observatory of the modern era.
Astronomy
The launch and in-orbit servicing of Hubble.
Astronomy
The first crewed landing on the Moon, in 1969.
Astronomy
The most distant human-made object, now in interstellar space.