Skip to main content

James Webb Space Telescope

James Webb Space Telescope Explainer Video

L3Harris' Role

As part of the NASA team, L3Harris integrated components made by various partners to form the Optical Telescope Element, collects light and provides sharp images of deep space. L3Harris also combined the components of the Integrated Science Instrument Module, which hosts four cameras and spectrographs for gathering data. L3Harris later administered about 100 days of testing in a cryogenic vacuum chamber at Johnson Space Center to ensure the telescope elements would perform correctly in the harsh space environment.

Webb Space Telescope Mission

As the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope, Webb launched in December of 2021 and took about a month to travel 1.5 million kilometers (940,000 miles) to a point in space where it is balanced between the gravity of the Earth and the sun. Webb is a large, infrared-optimized telescope designed to study the formation of the first stars and galaxies, the evolution of galaxies, the production of elements by stars, and the process of star and planet formation. Webb is located much farther from Earth than Hubble and contains a tennis-court-sized sun shade that keeps the telescope cold, which is necessary for viewing infrared light. Webb was carried into orbit aboard an Ariane 5 launch vehicle.

Read more about the James Webb Space Telescope

NASA James Webb Space Telescope Testing at Johnson Space Center

Editorial | 04. 05. 2023

L3Harris Recognized as Key Member of Webb Telescope Team for Prestigious Collier Trophy

L3Harris has been recognized as a key member of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) industry team, which was selected to receive the prestigious 2023 Collier Trophy for its role developing, building and launching world’s largest, most powerful telescope.

NASA James Webb Space Telescope Testing at Johnson Space Center

Editorial | 04. 05. 2023

L3Harris Recognized as Key Member of Webb Telescope Team for Prestigious Collier Trophy

JWST Teaser Image

Editorial | 04. 17. 2023

NASA’s Webb Telescope Team Earns Space Foundation’s Top Space Exploration Award

Stephan’s Quintet, a visual grouping of five galaxies

Editorial | 07. 12. 2022

New James Webb Space Telescope Images Reveal Deeper Look At Universe

Carina Nebula

Press release | 07. 12. 2022

L3Harris Integrated and Tested Critical Instruments on NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope; First Images Unveiled

NASA James Webb Space Telescope Testing at Johnson Space Center

Editorial | 04. 04. 2022

20 Years of Teamwork and Visionary Leadership Culminate with Triumphant Launch for Webb Telescope

Cryogenic Testing

James Webb Space Telescope Cyrogenic Testing

 

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope Resources

Media Resources
Media Kit - L3Harris is mentioned on page 20
Launch Site

Contact the Universe Exploration Team

Address
Reason for inquiry *

Related Domains & Industries

Solutions that solve our customers' toughest challenges.
view all capabilities