The James Webb Space Telescope arrives at its destination L2

The James Webb Space Telescope, NASA’s largest and most powerful space telescope, has finally arrived at its destination at Second Lagrange Point, or L2, a month after its launch.

L2 is a location in space where the gravitational forces of the Sun and Earth balance the orbital motion required for a spacecraft to move with them. This position also minimises the fuel needed to keep a spacecraft in orbit. In addition, orbiting in L2 will keep the telescope protected from the light and heat of the Sun and Earth (and Moon) and allow for continuous communications with Earth.

Webb’s commissioning process will take about six months to complete following the launch. After which, It will begin to capture images of the universe 13.5 billion years ago, a few million years after the big bang. The mission will last between 5 and 10 years.

Watch here to view the animation of The James Webb Space Telescope’s Orbit.

James Webb Space Telescope – the successor of the Hubble Space Telescope

NASA launches James Webb Space Telescope with a mission to unfold the universe