NASA has moved the James Webb Space Telescope's launch date from March 2021 to Oct. 31, 2021 due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The space agency has based this decision on a risk assessment of the program's remaining pre-launch activities.

Northrop Grumman Corporation and NASA have successfully completed the final sunshield deployment test on the James Webb Space Telescope, the company reported on Friday. The successful test will prepare the telescope for launch in 2021. “The success of this important milestone demonstrates the rigor and dedication of the Northrop Grumman and NASA team,” said Scott Willoughby.

Northrop Grumman Corporation, in partnership with NASA, has completed environmental testing on the James Webb Space Telescope. With the successful trials, the company has proven Webb’s ability to withstand harsh environmental characteristics. “The completion of environmental testing is a major step forward in our preparations for Webb’s historic launch and a testament to the remarkable dedication of the team,” said Scott Willoughby.

NASA has concluded ground segment testing activities for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to demonstrate its capacity to respond to commands from space. The agency said that it relayed maneuvering and operational commands from the Mission Operations Center at the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) in Baltimore, Md.

NASA has concluded assembly and initial full-systems testing of the James Webb Space Telescope built by Northrop Grumman and Ball Aerospace ahead of electrical analysis and critical software operations for the observatory. NASA said that the comprehensive systems test (CST) serves as the first full-systems evaluation for the telescope to assess the performance of its software and electronic parts.

Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for science at NASA, has said the agency is delaying the launch of its James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) initially slated for March 2021, Space News reported Wednesday.

NASA and Northrop Grumman have demonstrated the capacity of the James Webb Space Telescope’s primary mirror to reflect light and obtain as much detail as possible from outer space.

NASA will conduct an independent review on the status of the James Webb Space Telescope program ahead of a planned launch in the first half of 2019, Space News reported Thursday. The space agency will release an updated launch date for the future space telescope following the independent review despite …

NASA plans to address the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) program's delay costs through existing funds. The agency has witnessed delays in the space telescope's developmental schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic and seeks to address issues without additional funds.

NASA has approved its new infrared telescope to undergo hardware development and testing, marking a new technical milestone in the program. The space agency said Monday that its Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope or WFIRST will undergo finalization with efforts to design engineering test units.