The technology and set up to launch this observatory has been going on since August.

Very interesting design.

Story from the BBC

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-59692930

Thanks for the post. A very interesting sub-link in your link:

James Webb: Hubble telescope successor faces 'two weeks of terror'
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/sci...environment-59138682

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:
Thanks for the post. A very interesting sub-link in your link:

James Webb: Hubble telescope successor faces 'two weeks of terror'
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/sci...environment-59138682

I read that article, also, the whole development story of this gigantic space telescope is amazing. Thanks for adding that link.

Been waiting for this forever. Been delayed 3-4 times just this year, twice this month, and many times over the years. Once launched it will take six months to unfurl and cool to operating temperature. We won't get images for six months, they they probably won't be released to the public for weeks or months after that.

All these years and all this money can be wasted if just one failure in deployment happens. If I recall correctly, there are 130+ release points for the thing to unfold.

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:
Been waiting for this forever. Been delayed 3-4 times just this year, twice this month, and many times over the years. Once launched it will take six months to unfurl and cool to operating temperature. We won't get images for six months, they they probably won't be released to the public for weeks or months after that.

All these years and all this money can be wasted if just one failure in deployment happens. If I recall correctly, there are 130+ release points for the thing to unfold.

Goobers … (and origami)

JWST is a disgusting example of government spending mismanagement. There were plenty of opportunities for an adult to shut this program down over the past 20 years. How many astronomer and astrophysicist careers have been stunted due to the ever expanding budgets from JWST and SLS?

quote:

Originally posted by HuskySig:
How many astronomer and astrophysicist careers have been stunted due to the ever expanding budgets from JWST and SLS?

Less than zero.

Bob Zimmerman (Behind the Black) keeps a close watch on the space program. Here's his latest discussion on the Webb.

https://audioboom.com/posts/79...n-behindtheblack-com

I hope it all goes well. No shuttle to send folks up to fix it.

I've been following the JWST since it was first proposed and its going to be great to finally get it to its home

it promises to be absolutely spectacular if it works as advertised. And I hope it lives up to the billing and the cost - the information will be priceless

but its a one shot deal - unlike the Hubble which could have been services from orbit, this one is on its own with no way to un-stick a stuck spring or a bent wire...

I can't wait to see first light, but I'm glad I'm not on the science team puckering it out

quote:

Originally posted by 46and2:

quote:

Originally posted by HuskySig:
How many astronomer and astrophysicist careers have been stunted due to the ever expanding budgets from JWST and SLS?

Less than zero.

Unfortunately, the number is greater than zero. Much greater. I’ve listened to a few assistant and associate professors who have said that funding has been exceptionally tight due to JWST and SLS.

quote:

Originally posted by 229DAK:
I hope it all goes well. No shuttle to send folks up to fix it.

Doesn’t matter if the shuttle was still flying, JWST is going out to L2. That’s beyond the Moon. Not much hope of mechanical fixes out there.

quote:

Originally posted by HuskySig:

quote:

Originally posted by 229DAK:
I hope it all goes well. No shuttle to send folks up to fix it.

Doesn’t matter if the shuttle was still flying, JWST is going out to L2. That’s beyond the Moon. Not much hope of mechanical fixes out there.

Might they attempt to erect/assemble the many mirror components while the JWST is still accessible in earth orbit? Then, and only then, send it on to L2…

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:

quote:

Originally posted by HuskySig:

quote:

Originally posted by 229DAK:
I hope it all goes well. No shuttle to send folks up to fix it.

Doesn’t matter if the shuttle was still flying, JWST is going out to L2. That’s beyond the Moon. Not much hope of mechanical fixes out there.

Might they attempt to erect/assemble the many mirror components while the JWST is still accessible in earth orbit? Then, and only then, send it on to L2…

Was considered to build in LEO then boost to L2, but they concluded it was not viable to do it that way. The ultra thin sun reflectors could get easily damaged by micro asteroids or orbital debris was one of the factors.

L2 is still accessible for repairs, but the cost would be astronomical (pun intended) and take years to gear up a launch vehicle and plan, which would limit the useful life of JWST, if they were even able to put together a plan.

They only get one shot, they can't miss the chance, this opportunity comes only once in a lifetime, they better lose themself in the science.

Holy cow, it's going to be almost 4 times as far away from Earth as the Moon! Is it going to be in an Earth orbit or solar orbit? And ya, there's no going out there to fix it.

I almost agree with HuskySig but not quite. While I disagree with him that the JWST is a waste I do agree that the SLS is a colossal waste and nothing more than a make work program for a couple of congressional districts.

I think SpaceX has proven that it’s better, faster, and cheaper and it gets the job done.

quote:

Originally posted by HuskySig:

quote:

Originally posted by 229DAK:
I hope it all goes well. No shuttle to send folks up to fix it.

Doesn’t matter if the shuttle was still flying, JWST is going out to L2. That’s beyond the Moon. Not much hope of mechanical fixes out there.

Why not put a science station on the back side of the moon. There could be Comcast units orbiting or wired on towers to connect with home base

The current price tag for JWST is what, $10B? The life expectancy is 10 years. So basically $1B/year of life expectancy. There’s a lot of other science that could be accomplished with that budget. It’s also hard to imagine a more complicated Rube Goldberg device than JWST.

agreed its over-priced and risky

Shift ample money from elsewhere and triple their funding. Enlarge NASA and the related agencies, it's some of the only good and interesting things our government does or has ever done with our money.