How the James Webb Space Telescope unfolds in deep space

The Ariane 5 rocket ignites its core engine and boosters to propel the James Webb Space Telescope off the launch pad and through the lower atmosphere.

Ariane 5 Blasts James Webb into Space

Exposing a 10-billion-dollar telescope to the vacuum of space.

After clearing the dense atmosphere, the rocket sheds its boosters, fairing, and first stage, sending Webb on an uninterrupted flight toward deep space.

Fairing Jettison Reveals the Folded Telescope

A 600-degree temperature difference across 5 thin layers.

Webb tensions five ultra-thin sunshield membranes to drop the instrument temperature to minus 385 degrees while facing 190 degrees on the sunlit side.

600-Degree Temperature Gap on a Single Shield

The largest space mirror locks into place.

The secondary mirror extends into position and the golden side wings lock together to complete the primary reflector array.

Webb Unfolds Its Massive Golden Mirror

One million miles from Earth: the L2 sweet spot.

A final trajectory maneuver inserts the observatory into its halo orbit at the Second Lagrange Point, isolating it from Earth's heat and glare.

Why Webb Must Orbit 1 Million Miles Away

[01:23] Ariane 5 Blasts James Webb into Space
[02:08] Fairing Jettison Reveals the Folded Telescope
[07:36] 600-Degree Temperature Gap on a Single Shield
[08:47] Webb Unfolds Its Massive Golden Mirror
[09:29] Why Webb Must Orbit 1 Million Miles Away

How the James Webb Space Telescope unfolds in deep space

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