James Webb Telescope Passes Critical Tests

eldavojohn writes "The Hubble Telescope's successor reached a milestone today as it passed a critical design review. The James Webb Space Telescope was originally set to launch in 2013 but has run about $1B over budget and has been pushed back to a 2014 launch. Today's good news means that there shouldn't be further delays as the JWST has accomplished all science and engineering requirements for all mission-critical design functionality. Scientists, of course, think these delays and costs 'pale in comparison to the secrets of the universe the James Webb Space Telescope is expected to unlock.' These are exciting times for many realms of science, even if we're somewhat saddened by it being the loyal Hubble's twilight hours."

Comments

Re:Me? Oh wow. Thanks. *takes cup*

[Hurricane78]

Now I feel bad. Wait, I’ll at least come up with something interesting:

----------

Why is this the end of Hubble? Does Hubble not have a stable orbit by itself? It could at least continue doing work for a couple of years.
Also it’s sad that Hubble never gets to see a museum from the inside, isn’t it? It would deserve it.

I’m excited about the James Webb. Since it is one step further to something that almost sounds surreal:
In our lifetimes, telescopes will become advanced enough, to be able to see lifeforms on other planets with a better resolution than Google earth/maps right now.
Think about that for a minute... Just wow.

We often talk about how bad everything is. But there are also really great things. And this is one of them. :)

----------

Ok, did I do my duty? *hopes* Are we good?