Short Wave After Years Of Delays, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope To Launch In December
Sep 24, 2021
Nell Greenfieldboyce, an NPR science correspondent with a keen focus on space exploration, joins the discussion about NASA's highly anticipated James Webb Space Telescope. They explore the telescope's two-decade development and innovative design, highlighting its potential to uncover the universe's secrets. Nell addresses the controversies surrounding the telescope's naming and its groundbreaking capabilities, including analyzing exoplanet atmospheres for signs of life. The excitement builds as they discuss its mission to explore distant worlds and the TRAPPIST-1 solar system.
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Early Reporting
- Nell Greenfieldboyce first reported on the James Webb Space Telescope in 2007.
- A life-sized model toured the country, resembling a "big ray gun."
Unique Design
- The James Webb Space Telescope's design is unique, unlike traditional tube-shaped telescopes.
- Its unconventional look stems from its foldable design, a necessity for its space journey.
Naming Controversy
- James Webb, the telescope's namesake, played a key role in the Apollo program.
- Researchers are investigating his potential involvement in discriminatory practices during the Lavender Scare.