Webb Telescope Suffers “Uncorrectable Damage” in Micrometeoroid Hit, NASA Report Says
The James Webb Space Telescope – the $8.8 billion successor to the Hubble telescope – has suffered “uncorrectable damage” after being hit by a meteoroid, according to a new report from NASA. The telescope, which is currently in orbit around the sun, was struck by a small object back in September and has been unable to return to its normal function since then.
This is not the first time that the telescope has been hit by space debris; in 2013, a micrometeoroid damaged one of its mirrors. However, this is the first time that the telescope has suffered “uncorrectable damage” as a result of a collision. The report does not say how much money it will cost to repair the telescope, but it is likely to be significant.
The James Webb Space Telescope was launched in October 2018 and is currently scheduled to begin operations in 2021. It is designed to study the early universe and search for signs of life on other planets.
The news of the latest incident comes just weeks after another setback for the telescope, when its sunshield failed to deploy properly during a test. That problem is still being investigated by NASA.
The James Webb Space Telescope is one of the most ambitious and expensive projects ever undertaken by NASA, and its delays and setbacks have been well-documented. However, the agency remains confident that the telescope will ultimately be a success.
“Despite these challenges, we remain committed to delivering this groundbreaking telescope to our partners and the world in 2021,” said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, in a statement. “JWST is an incredible machine with the potential to forever change our understanding of the universe around us, and it continues to inspire wonderment and excitement as we inch closer to launch day.”
The telescope is named after James E. Webb, who served as NASA’s second administrator from 1961 to 1968. He oversaw the development of the Apollo program, which sent humans to the moon for the first time.
Are you excited for the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope? Let us know in the comments! And be sure to follow @Spacedotcom and @WebbTelescope on Twitter for updates on this incredible mission.
It has been nearly two years since the last significant delay for NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, and now it seems that yet another delay could be on the horizon. According to a new report from NASA, the telescope – which is currently in orbit around the sun – suffered “uncorrectable damage” after being hit by a meteoroid back in September, and has been unable to return to its normal function since then.
The James Webb Space Telescope – the $8.8 billion successor to the Hubble telescope – has suffered “uncorrectable damage” after being hit by a meteoroid, according to a new report from NASA. The telescope, which is currently in orbit around the sun, was struck by a small object back in September and has been unable…
The James Webb Space Telescope – the $8.8 billion successor to the Hubble telescope – has suffered “uncorrectable damage” after being hit by a meteoroid, according to a new report from NASA. The telescope, which is currently in orbit around the sun, was struck by a small object back in September and has been unable…