In October 2018 a European rocket will launch the largest astronomical space telescope ever built. The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), is an international collaboration between NASA, ESA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). It will use infrared light to study the birth and evolution of planets, stars and galaxies throughout our cosmic history, advancing our understanding of the Universe.
JWST represents the next step for visible and infrared space astronomy after the Hubble Space Telescope, launched in 1990, first opened new doors into our Universe. NASA, ESA and CSA have teamed up to build this extraordinary piece of science engineering.
Expectations are high as the telescope and its instruments have recently finished integration and testing at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.
Since filming this video, JWST has been shipped to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston for further testing.
