James Webb Space Telescope
Mission overview
The James Webb Space Telescope is the largest space observatory, observing the infrared universe from the L2 point.
Mission data
Identity and engineering data from Wikidata (type-verified match · Q186447) · launch date 2021-12-25 confirmed
| International designator | 2021-130A | Wikidata · catalogued |
| Launch mass | 6,161 kg | Wikidata · catalogued |
Full field-level provenance
- International designator: Wikidata (Wikimedia Foundation) — community-curated structured knowledge base · Wikidata · wdt · P247 · catalogued value · retrieved 2026-07-11
- Launch mass: Wikidata (Wikimedia Foundation) — community-curated structured knowledge base · Wikidata · wdt · P2067 · catalogued value · retrieved 2026-07-11
Sourced from Wikidata (community-maintained structured data, whose statements link to their own citations where provided); each value carries its Wikidata QID. A field with conflicting Wikidata values is omitted. Launch date is used only to cross-check the catalogue, never to override it. Fields Wikidata did not provide, or where conflicting values exist, are omitted, never invented.
Derived values
Computed from source-backed inputs via standard formulae — not observations. Every input and constant is traced below.
- Time since launch4.5 yearscalculated
Formula & inputs
Formula: Δt = reference − launch (v1.0.0, impl v1.0.0)
Inputs:
- launchDate = 18986 days (JD-like) · NASA
Limitations: A time-dependent value: it is elapsed time as of the stated reference instant, not a fixed total.; Elapsed time since launch is not the same as time spent operating at the target.
Uncertainty: not propagated (inputs carry no catalogued uncertainty)
Computed as of 2026-06-29.
Outcome & discoveries
Returned the deepest infrared images yet and is probing the first galaxies and exoplanet atmospheres.
- ★Detection of the earliest known galaxies
- ★Detailed exoplanet atmospheric spectra
Mission profile
Scientific instruments
Knowledge connections
- Operated byNASA
- Operated byESA
- Operated byCanadian Space Agency (CSA)
- StudiesEagle Nebula
- StudiesOrion Nebula
- Launched byAriane 5
- Launched fromGuiana Space Centre
- Carries instrumentNIRCam
- Carries instrumentMIRI
- Carries instrumentNIRSpec
- Operated bySpace Telescope Science Institute
- ObservesNear-infrared
- ObservesInfrared
- Has instrumentNIRISS
- DiscoveredCWISEP J193518.59-154620.3 b
- DiscoveredTWA 7 b
- DiscoveredWISE J033605.05-014350.4 b
- Related toJWST's First Science Images
- DiscoveredJWST's First Science Images
- MeasuresCosmic Dawn & the First Stars
- MeasuresReionization
- CapturedWebb's First Deep Field (SMACS 0723)
- CapturedCosmic Cliffs in the Carina Nebula
- CapturedThe Southern Ring Nebula
Related missions
| Mission | Type | Agency | Launch | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freedom 7 (Mercury-Redstone 3) | Crewed suborbital | NASA | 1961-05-05 | Completed |
| Friendship 7 (Mercury-Atlas 6) | Crewed orbital | NASA | 1962-02-20 | Completed |
| Apollo 8The Moon | Crewed lunar orbit | NASA | 1968-12-21 | Completed |
| Apollo 11The Moon | Crewed lunar landing | NASA | 1969-07-16 | Completed |
| Apollo 13The Moon | Crewed lunar (aborted) | NASA | 1970-04-11 | Completed |
| Apollo 17The Moon | Crewed lunar landing | NASA | 1972-12-07 | Completed |
Sources
The primary and reference sources this topic draws on.
- NASANational Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mission data, planetary science, space telescopes, and public-domain imagery.
Most NASA-produced imagery is in the public domain; individual items are checked for usage terms before publication.