The James Webb Space Telescope launch date might be delayed until further notice due to rocket issues. The rocket that is supposed to serve as a launch vehicle keeps the world's most excellent telescope from flying into space due to separation issues.
The JWST telescope is planned to soar high into space by using the European launch vehicle Ariane 5. The heavy-lift rocket was developed by European Space Agency (ESA), and because of being dependable, it was granted to be the launch vehicle of the telescope.
However, according to a report by Space News, an ongoing issue with the Ariane 5's recent launches might delay the project. This is because of the failed separation of the rocket's fairing in the initial analysis of the launch test. On the other hand, experts believe that the said issue doesn't have any significant impact on the rocket itself.
The issue wasn't elaborated further, but insiders reported that in February and August 2020 launches, heavy vibrations affected the payload stack of the rocket, leading to the separation of the fairing.
The fairing, the cone-like part of the rocket that functions as protection for a spacecraft during lift-off through the atmosphere. Due to the incident, Arian 5 had never been on any mission, but dut Ariane 5 provider's credibility, the issue may be resolved soon.
According to Space News, Arianespace SA said they are conducting investigations and additional testings to produce a quality launch come October.
Arianespace, the world's first launch service company, did not fail any missions in history. Since its kick-off, the launch service provider had a successful 85 series of launches from 2003 to 2017.
James Webb Space Telescope in Cosmology and Astronomy
Ariane 5's collaboration with the James Webb Space Telescope is a big step for planetary and space studies. NASA developed the project in the interest of space observation, providing further research on Earth's distant neighbors and galaxy formation.
Like the telescope's predecessor Hubble Space Telescope, the James Webb Space Telescope is expected to relay a greater load of observation and information on fields of cosmology and astronomy. Compared to the Hubble, the Webb telescope is equipped with a larger optical telescope element.
For that reason, JWST will be a much more powerful generation of an observatory through a wider reach of wavelength and greater, definitive resolution and sensitivity of infrared. Overall, it will continue and extend what the Hubble began.
ALSO READ: After Returning from Space, What Made Pétrus 2000 Very Expensive
Future of James Webb Space Telescope Launch
The JWST's launch will be conducted on October 5 this year. Before the telescope's take-off, two consecutive Ariane 5 launches will provide more information and strategy.
Ariane 5 might have delayed the launch, but the project will continue as expected. Following the incident, experts still believe that the JWST lunch will be a great success. One reason that could ease the launch's tension is that, unlike greater missions like expeditions, the telescope launch doesn't have any deadlines, reports Digital Trends.
For example, Mars missions must be prepared quickly as the Red Planet is only close to Earth once every two years. And since the pandemic, several Mars projects were delayed, resulting in another two hole years of waiting. On the contrary, the Webb telescope will be much nearer to Earth and doesn't require any extensive phases to be set in place.
RELATED ARTICLE: Schedule for The First Eclipse and Other Solar and Lunar Eclipse in 2021
Check out more news and information on Space on Science Times.
