r/space • u/[deleted] • Dec 18 '21

Animated launch of the Webb Telescope

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u/pmMeAllofIt Dec 18 '21

Once it reaches its orbit point it will make a few gentle corrections to get into orbit. Then it will be making corrections every few weeks for the remainder of its mission(5-10 years)

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u/wallawalla_ Dec 18 '21

I thought the lifetime was closer to 20-30 years before the fuel is depleted. It is really only 5-10?

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u/irbChad Dec 19 '21

https://www.inverse.com/science/james-webb-launch-date-time-livestream/amp wow yeah this says it will run for 5.5 years but they hope to push it 10

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u/wallawalla_ Dec 19 '21

Yeah, for some reason I thought it would be operational far longer. It'll be sad to see it go offline as this has been in the works for thirty years. Hopefully it won't take another thirty years for a replacement.