James Webb’s successful launch of the Space Telescope “Unveils the Origin of the Universe”

Humanity has taken another step forward to reveal the origin of the universe. The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) was successfully launched on the 25th (local time). After six months of preparations, such as landing in orbit, it plans to transmit the flesh of the universe to Earth.

The Ariane 5 rocket carrying the JWST was launched from the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Kuru space launch base in French Guiana in South America on the same day, foreign media reported all at once. JWST was separated from Ariane 5 about 27 minutes after launch, and after freeing from Earth’s gravity, the solar panel began to unfold on its own. In the future, JWST will conduct space development for about two weeks, including a tennis court-sized (21×14m) solar screen and a 6.5m-diameter main mirror. Iru enters the orbit of the 2nd Lagrange point (L2) about 1.5 million km away. Here, after fine-tuning the 18 hexagonal mirrors that make up the main mirror to move as one as it orbits, and precisely checking scientific equipment including the Near Infrared Camera (NIRCam) as a test observation, full-scale observation begins about six months later. It will start and send the captured images to Earth.

Launch officials monitor the launch process of the Ariane 5 rocket carrying the James Webb Space Telescope from the Jupiter Center at the Kuru Space Base in French Guiana, South America, on the 25th. Kuru = AP Yonhap News

JWST has four objectives: △First observation of stars and galaxies △Research on the formation and evolution of galaxies △Study on the formation of stars and planetary systems △Research on the origin of planetary systems and life. For this purpose, it is designed to observe celestial objects that are currently difficult to observe or observable by space telescopes. Through this, it is expected that by observing and comparing galaxies at all stages, it will be possible to understand the formation and evolution of galaxies and to understand the distribution of galaxies, so that it will be possible to take a step closer to the reality of dark matter and dark energy. In addition, by analyzing the composition of the atmosphere of exoplanets, it is possible to determine whether a planet can exist in life. Ultimately, the goal is to observe a phenomenon that occurred in the early stages of the universe’s formation, right after the Big Bang, about 13.8 billion years ago through distant space. While the Hubble telescope can mainly observe visible light, JWST mainly observes infrared light. It is estimated to be 100 times more powerful than the Hubble Telescope.

In the development of JWST, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), ESA, and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) participated. “The Webb Telescope is a time machine that will take us to the very beginning of the universe,” said NASA Director Bill Nelson. Thomas Zubuchen, CEO of NASA’s scientist, said, “This year is a true Christmas.” ESA Director Josef Ashbacher said, “We put the JWST into orbit very accurately,” and “The Ariane 5 showed a very good performance.” US President Joe Biden tweeted after the successful launch, “JWST is a brilliant example of how we can achieve when we dream big. They will come together.”

The James Webb Space Telescope is separating from the Ariane 5 rocket about 27 minutes after launch. AFP Yonhap News

Meanwhile, JWST took 25 years to develop. It took 32 years from the time the first concept was presented in 1989 to launch. About 11 billion dollars (about 13 trillion won) was invested in the production cost. Initially, the launch was aimed at the late 2000s with an investment of 1 billion dollars, but the schedule was delayed by 10 years due to technology development setbacks and lack of budget, and the cost jumped 10 times.

Jinwook Kim reporter kimjinuk@hankookilbo.com