The James Webb Space Telescope is on its way! The mission launched on an Ariane 5 rocket at 7:20 a.m. EST on Saturday, Dec. 25. NASA

I think it is a very exciting day for those of us who share a passion for astronomy (or science as a whole).

The James Webb Space Telescope is safely in space, powered on and communicating with ground controllers.

NASA

Webb continues in coast phase and is now oriented correctly with respect to the Sun. The six reaction wheels of the spacecraft’s attitude control system have been powered on, and they are now responsible for keeping the spacecraft pointing in the right direction – so that its massive sunshield, which is the size of a tennis court and which will deploy over the course of the next week – will be able to keep the telescope protected from solar radiation and heat.

Participating countries

• Austria
• Belgium
• Canada
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Ireland
• Italy
• Luxembourg
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Portugal
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom
• United States

  The James Webb Space Telescope Explained In 9 Minutes

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnbSIbsF4t4