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NASA has delayed the launch of its new James Webb Space Telescope following an “incident” that happened affecting its connection to the rocket.
The $10bn (£7.5bn) telescope is an orbiting infrared observatory that will will provide next-generation discoveries based on the work of the Hubble Space Telescope.
But its launch from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana – the base of operations for the European Space Agency – has now been pushed back until 22 December at the earliest.
NASA said: “The incident occurred during operations at the satellite preparation facility in Kourou, French Guiana, performed under Arianespace overall responsibility.
“Technicians were preparing to attach Webb to the launch vehicle adapter, which is used to integrate the observatory with the upper stage of the Ariane 5 rocket.
“A sudden, unplanned release of a clamp band – which secures Webb to the launch vehicle adapter – caused a vibration throughout the observatory,” the space agency added.
An anomaly review board led by NASA has been investigating what happened ever since, and a further update is expected when testing finishes at the end of this week.
It follows further delays and additional expenses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to NASA.
The aim is for the orbiting telescope to succeed both the Hubble Space Telescope which was launched in 1990 – and is expected to be in service until 2040 – and the Spitzer Telescope which was launched in 2003.
The JWST is the successor to Hubble, whose images captured humanity’s imagination. Pic: NASA
When the launch does take place it will herald a new era in space science, and offers NASA the opportunity to publish new images such as those captured by Hubble which have inspired so many people’s…
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Source : skynews
