NASA is one massive step nearer to placing the James Webb Space Telescope into service. The company has efficiently deployed the JWST’s signature gold-coated major mirror, finishing all main deployments for the instrument. The mission crew nonetheless has to align the telescope’s optics by transferring the first mirror’s segments (a months-long course of), however it’s a robust signal the $10 billion machine is in fine condition.

The JWST additionally requires a 3rd course correction burn because it heads towards the L2 Lagrange level between the Earth and the Sun. Astronomers will use the purpose to review infrared mild with out interference, probably providing insights into the early Universe that are not attainable with Hubble and different tools.

First photographs from the telescope will not be out there till the summer time, and it might take for much longer earlier than these photographs translate to significant discoveries. Even so, the deployment is an achievement. JWST represents the primary time NASA has unpacked a posh observatory in house — it reveals tasks like this are viable, even when they’re unlikely to be commonplace within the close to future.