Design and Development of the James Webb Space Telescope

Explore the fascinating journey of designing and developing the largest space telescope ever built in this comprehensive lecture by NASA's Astrophysics Division Director Mark Clampin. Delve into the evolution from the Hubble Telescope to the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), understanding the complex design process, innovative mirror technology, and rigorous testing procedures that made this astronomical marvel possible. Learn about the critical six-month deployment period after launch, examine the exceptional image quality achieved, and discover how these observations are revolutionizing our understanding of the early universe, star formation, and exoplanet atmospheres. Get an exclusive preview of NASA's future astrophysics projects, including the Roman Space Telescope's investigation of dark energy and the Habitable Worlds Observatory's search for life in the universe, while gaining insights from Clampin's firsthand experience as the JWST Observatory Project Scientist.