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James Webb Space Telescope: Finishing The Next Big Observatory

James Webb Space Telescope. Photo: NASA
James Webb Space Telescope. Photo: NASA

The James Webb Space Telescope is nearing the finish line, with a campaign of full systems tests on the horizon. The mega space-based telescope is an incredible machine -- with a sunshield that once deployed in space will be the size of a tennis court.

Once it’s operational, the telescope will give scientists an unprecedented view of the infrared universe. But getting there has been a challenge -- with the telescope’s complexity adding to delays in developing and building it and the coronavirus pandemic further slowing down the project.

We’ll chat with Gregory Robinson, he’s the program manager for the James Webb Space Telescope, about what’s ahead for the observatory and how NASA plans to get it into space.

Then, what’s at the edge of our solar system? We’ll speak with our panel of experts on this week’s “I’d Like to Know” segment -- exploring the Kuiper belt.

Brendan Byrne is Central Florida Public Media's Assistant News Director, managing the day-to-day operations of the newsroom, editing daily news stories, and managing the organization's internship program. Byrne also hosts Central Florida Public Media's weekly radio show and podcast "Are We There Yet?" which explores human space exploration, and the weekly news roundup podcast "The Wrap."