James Webb space telescope to replace Hubble

The James Webb space telescope is an infrared orbiting observatory expected to become the Hubble’s successor. It is scheduled to go into operation in 2014.

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The tennis-court-sized solar protection screen of the James Webb.

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A James Webb mirror 6.5 meters in diameter (The Hubble’s mirror measures just 2.4 meters).

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The telescope will be placed at L2 Lagrange point, 1.5 million km away from Earth. Photo: A 3D model of the James Webb space telescope.

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A simulation of images expected to be received from the James Webb.

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The advanced space telescope was first proposed in 1996.

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Remaining in the Earth’s shadow, the telescope will need no artificial cooling. Photo: A 3D model of the James Webb space telescope.

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A full-scale model of the James Webb space telescope made of aluminum and steel. Two trucks are required for its transportation and a team of 12 people to assemble it within four days.

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Experts say the minimum lifetime of the James Webb is five years. NASA scientists hope the telescope will last for at least 10 years. Photo: Models of some of the telescope’s parts.