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See the latest images from the James Webb Space Telescope
Tarantula Nebula - Credits: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Webb ERO Production Team
M74 Phantom Galaxy - Credits: ESA/Webb, NASA & CSA, J. Lee and the PHANGS-JWST Team
Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, Jupiter ERS Team; image processing by Ricardo Hueso (UPV/EHU) and Judy Schmidt.
Cartwheel Galaxy - Credits: NASA, ESA, CSA, and STScI
Credits: NASA, ESA, CSA, and STScI
Credits: NASA, ESA, CSA, and STScI
Credits: NASA, ESA, CSA, and STScI
Credits: NASA, ESA, CSA, and STScI
Credits: NASA, ESA, CSA, and STScI
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.
Mission Details
01
Mission duration is 5-10 years
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Diameter of primary mirror is approximately 6.5 meters, or 21.3 feet
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Primary mirror consists of 18 segments
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Primary mirror segments are made of beryllium and coated with gold
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Two and a half times larger in diameter, or about six times larger in area than Hubble
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1,000 times more sensitive in the infrared spectrum than Hubble
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The overall weight of the telescope is significantly lighter than Hubble due to ultra-thin, ultra-lightweight mirror segments
Read more about the James Webb Space Telescope
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.
James Webb Space Telescope Experiences
Members of our James Webb Space Telescope team share thoughts and memories from working on a truly memorable program. Watch to learn more.
Cryogenic 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
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