The telescope is ready to go.
NASA said on Monday that the controversial spaceship has been loaded with a propellant that it will use to move around while in the air. The craft makes precise course corrections after launch.
Randy Kimble, the project scientist for the integration, test and commission of the observatory, said in a separate update that the loading of propellants was complete at the Arianespace launch facilities in French Guiana. This is an important step in the path to launch.
The final count.
The telescope is going to be launched later this month. The craft will be placed on an Ariane 5, a European heavy-lift launch vehicle, which will take it to its new home in the sky.
The process of fueling the telescope was very delicate as the propellants are very toxic. It took 10 days to pressurize the propellant tanks.
The blame is on the name.
The telescope is expected to provide the clearest and furthest views into space ever, but it has attracted a lot of controversy due to its name, James Webb.
He is believed to have played a role in ostracizing employees of the agency who were lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer. NASA found no reason to change the telescope's name after an investigation.
When it launches, the Webb will be the most advanced observatory in history. It is so sophisticated that some believe it will discover evidence of human life. It was almost.
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope is ready for launch.
Astronomers call out NASA for a telescope with an offensive name.
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