Preparing the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) for space. Webb has the largest mirror of its kind that NASA has ever built. In March 2020, testing teams deployed Webb's 21'4' (6.5m) primary mirror into the same configuration it will have when in space.Like the art of origami, Webb is a collection of movable parts that have been specifically designed to fold to a compact formation that is considerably smaller than when the observatory is fully deployed. An optimised version of a NASA image by experienced lead photographer Chris Gunn. Credit: NASA/Chris Gunn. For editorial use only

RM2K5E3E3–Preparing the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) for space. Webb has the largest mirror of its kind that NASA has ever built. In March 2020, testing teams deployed Webb's 21'4' (6.5m) primary mirror into the same configuration it will have when in space.Like the art of origami, Webb is a collection of movable parts that have been specifically designed to fold to a compact formation that is considerably smaller than when the observatory is fully deployed. An optimised version of a NASA image by experienced lead photographer Chris Gunn. Credit: NASA/Chris Gunn. For editorial use only

A composite of nine wide-angle images showign the NASA Goddard clean room on May 4, 2016, when the uncovered flight primary mirror of the James Webb Space Telescope was tilted into a vertical position. James Webb Space Telescope Revealed (26764527271)

RMKRMF1E–A composite of nine wide-angle images showign the NASA Goddard clean room on May 4, 2016, when the uncovered flight primary mirror of the James Webb Space Telescope was tilted into a vertical position. James Webb Space Telescope Revealed (26764527271)

Preparing the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Inspecting the Primary Mirror Engineering Design Unit An optimised version of a NASA image by experienced lead photographer Chris Gunn. Credit: NASA/Chris Gunn. For editorial use only.

RM2K5E3BC–Preparing the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Inspecting the Primary Mirror Engineering Design Unit An optimised version of a NASA image by experienced lead photographer Chris Gunn. Credit: NASA/Chris Gunn. For editorial use only.

JAMES WEBB TELESCOPE The Primary Mirror is seven times larger than Hubble's and features 18 hexagonal gold-plated segments made from beryllium to capture faint infrared light. Photo: NASA

RM2H6ARW1–JAMES WEBB TELESCOPE The Primary Mirror is seven times larger than Hubble's and features 18 hexagonal gold-plated segments made from beryllium to capture faint infrared light. Photo: NASA

Preparing the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). NASA technicians working on the JWST complete the first important optical measurement of Webb's fully assembled primary mirror, called a Center of Curvature test.These tests will simulate the violent sound and vibration environments the telescope will experience inside its rocket on its way out into space. An optimised version of a NASA image by experienced lead photographer Chris Gunn. Credit: NASA/Chris Gunn. For editorial use only.

RM2K5E3D4–Preparing the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). NASA technicians working on the JWST complete the first important optical measurement of Webb's fully assembled primary mirror, called a Center of Curvature test.These tests will simulate the violent sound and vibration environments the telescope will experience inside its rocket on its way out into space. An optimised version of a NASA image by experienced lead photographer Chris Gunn. Credit: NASA/Chris Gunn. For editorial use only.

James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)'s Full Mirror Deployment Test. Webb has the largest mirror of its kind that NASA has ever built. In March 2020, testing teams deployed Webb's 21'4' (6.5m) primary mirror into the same configuration it will have when in space.Like the art of origami, Webb is a collection of movable parts that have been specifically designed to fold to a compact formation that is considerably smaller than when the observatory is fully deployed. An optimised version of a NASA image by experienced lead photographer Chris Gunn. Credit: NASA/Chris Gunn. For editorial use only

RM2K5E3D6–James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)'s Full Mirror Deployment Test. Webb has the largest mirror of its kind that NASA has ever built. In March 2020, testing teams deployed Webb's 21'4' (6.5m) primary mirror into the same configuration it will have when in space.Like the art of origami, Webb is a collection of movable parts that have been specifically designed to fold to a compact formation that is considerably smaller than when the observatory is fully deployed. An optimised version of a NASA image by experienced lead photographer Chris Gunn. Credit: NASA/Chris Gunn. For editorial use only

RME8RGEH–The sole secondary mirror and another primary mirror that will fly aboard NASA's James Webb Space Telescope arrived at NASA's Go

James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)'s Primary Mirror prepared for testing inside a cleanroom at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, where it will undergo its last cryogenic test before it is launched into space. In preparation for testing, the 'wings' of the mirror (which consist of the three segments on each side) were spread open. This photo shows one fully deployed wing, and one that is moments from being fully deployed. An engineer observes. An optimised version of a NASA image by experienced lead photographer Chris Gunn. Credit: NASA/Chris Gunn. For editorial use only.

RM2K5E3DK–James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)'s Primary Mirror prepared for testing inside a cleanroom at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, where it will undergo its last cryogenic test before it is launched into space. In preparation for testing, the 'wings' of the mirror (which consist of the three segments on each side) were spread open. This photo shows one fully deployed wing, and one that is moments from being fully deployed. An engineer observes. An optimised version of a NASA image by experienced lead photographer Chris Gunn. Credit: NASA/Chris Gunn. For editorial use only.

RMD4AD99–Cleaning Webb Primary, Secondary Mirror Canisters

Preparing the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Optical Engineer Larkin Carey examines two test mirror segments recently placed on a black composite structure. This black composite structure is called the JWST's 'Pathfinder' and acts as a spine supporting the telescope's primary mirror segments. The mirrors were installed using a robotic arm that involved highly trained engineers and technicians from Exelis, Northrop Grumman and NASA. An optimised version of a NASA image by experienced lead photographer Chris Gunn. Credit: NASA/Chris Gunn. For editorial use only.

RM2K5E3B7–Preparing the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Optical Engineer Larkin Carey examines two test mirror segments recently placed on a black composite structure. This black composite structure is called the JWST's 'Pathfinder' and acts as a spine supporting the telescope's primary mirror segments. The mirrors were installed using a robotic arm that involved highly trained engineers and technicians from Exelis, Northrop Grumman and NASA. An optimised version of a NASA image by experienced lead photographer Chris Gunn. Credit: NASA/Chris Gunn. For editorial use only.

RMD4AB6N–Gold-coated Primary Mirror Segment

Here the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)'s Engineering Test Unit primary mirror segment returning to the cleanroom at NASA's Goddard after testing at the the Calibration, Integration, and Alignment Facility (CIAF). An optimised version of a NASA image by experienced lead photographer Chris Gunn. Credit: NASA/Chris Gunn. For editorial use only.

RM2K5E3BJ–Here the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)'s Engineering Test Unit primary mirror segment returning to the cleanroom at NASA's Goddard after testing at the the Calibration, Integration, and Alignment Facility (CIAF). An optimised version of a NASA image by experienced lead photographer Chris Gunn. Credit: NASA/Chris Gunn. For editorial use only.