More than 18 years after NASA commissioned it to be built by TRW Inc., the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) was launched into orbit by Ariane rocket flight VA256 on Dec. 25, 2021. The launch took place at the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana.
About 30 minutes after launch, and continuing for nearly 13 days, the JWST deployed its solar array, antenna, sunshield, and primary, secondary and tertiary (third level) mirrors. The Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore oversaw all deployment actions. In January, the JWST arrived at its solar orbit, Lagrange Point 2, marking the completion of its million mile journey and the first month of its half-year long commissioning period.