Press Releases

(Washington, DC) – Today, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) successfully launched from the European Spaceport located near Kourou, French Guiana. Throughout the next month, the telescope will undergo its complex deployment process as it travels nearly one million miles to its destination in space. The main goals of Webb’s mission include searching for the first galaxies formed in the universe, observing the formation of stars, building our understanding of the evolution of galaxies, and measuring physical and chemical properties of planetary systems. JWST is an international collaboration among the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).

“Today’s successful launch of the James Webb Space Telescope marks a historic milestone in our advancement of astrophysics and space science,” said Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX). “After two decades in development and painstaking work, this incredible observatory is on its way to transforming our understanding of the early universe and much more.I would like to send my heartfelt congratulations to NASA, Northrop Grumman, our international partners, and the entire James Webb Telescope team on today’s success.While there is much work ahead as the observatory undertakes the ‘29 days on edge’ deployment and its million-mile journey to orbit, getting to this point is a milestone to celebrate. I wish NASA and the international and contractor partners the best of luck in its continuing efforts as we look forward to the observatory’s future science operations.”

“Webb Telescope’s successful launch today is an incredible achievement to celebrate,” said Chairman Don Beyer (D-VA) of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics. “I’d like to extend my congratulations and gratitude to NASA, the JWST Team, our international partners, and Northrop Grumman on this success and the hard work that led to it. As a long-time advocate for the observatory, I’m especially glad to see this critical step reached toward JWST’s long-awaited science mission. Today’s success and the ones to hopefully follow will undoubtedly inspire an entire generation of students excited to learn and grow from this observatory. I wish NASA and their partners the very best as Webb begins its very challenging deployment and million-mile journey to orbit. I’m looking forward to following the mission every step of the way.”

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Learn more about the James Webb Space Telescope here.