The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has entered a new phase of its commissioning process as NASA announces that the observatory has completed its mirror alignment and focusing process and is ready to move into the instrument calibration ahead of full science operations later this year.
“These remarkable test images from a successfully aligned telescope demonstrate what people across countries and continents can achieve when there is a bold scientific vision to explore the universe,” said Lee Feinberg, Webb optical telescope element manager at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.
To discuss this milestone, NASASpaceflight spoke with Charlie Atkinson, Chief Engineer for Northrop Grumman’s JWST Program, regarding the status of the telescope, its performance so far, and what remains for the prime contractor as the telescope moves toward operational status.