Here is a concise summary of the James Webb Space Telescope's journey:
**Development & Launch:**
* Development began in 1996, with an initial launch planned for 2007
* The project faced numerous delays, redesigns, and budget increases (from $500M to $10B)
* Launched on Christmas Day 2021, arriving at Lagrange Point 2 after 30 days
**Telescope's Journey to Launch Site:**
* **Mirror Production:** 18 beryllium segments built across 11 US locations over 17 years
* **Telescope Assembly & Transport:**
+ Assembled in California, then transported to Maryland and finally to Redondo Beach
+ Placed in a custom, ultra-clean shipping container (STARS) for transport
+ Traveled 41km from Redondo Beach to Seal Beach, CA, in 6 hours at 8km/h, under police escort
+ Shipped to French Guiana via a 16-day cargo ship journey, navigating the Panama Canal
**Key Takeaways:**
* The James Webb Space Telescope's development and launch were marked by significant challenges and delays
* The telescope's journey to the launch site required meticulous planning, custom transportation solutions, and international collaboration
* Now in space, the telescope is poised to make groundbreaking discoveries and capture stunning images of the universe.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text, each with a number and in short sentences:
**Launch and Deployment**
1. The James Webb Telescope launched on Christmas Day 2021.
2. The telescope traveled to Lagrange Point 2, 1.5 million kilometers away from Earth.
3. The journey to Lagrange Point 2 took 30 days.
**Development and Budget**
4. Development of the James Webb Telescope began in 1996.
5. The initial launch was expected in 2007 but was delayed until 2021.
6. The project underwent a major redesign in 2005.
7. The budget increased from $500 million to $10 billion by completion.
**Mirror Construction**
8. The telescope's mirror consists of 18 giant hexagonal segments made from beryllium.
9. Beryllium was chosen for its low mass and high strength.
10. The mirror is about three times larger than Hubble's but has a fraction of the mass.
**Mirror Production Journey (Across the U.S.)**
11. The mirror segments made 14 stops at 11 locations across the U.S. during production.
12. The journey for each segment included:
* Utah (beryllium powder mining)
* Ohio (purification)
* Alabama (machining into honeycomb structure)
* California (polishing)
* New Jersey (gold coating)
* Maryland (assembly and attachment to the main instrument module)
**Telescope Assembly and Shipping**
13. The telescope was assembled in Redondo Beach, California.
14. A custom shipping container called STARS was built to protect the telescope.
15. The container had a strict cleanliness standard, with <100 particles smaller than a human hair allowed.
16. The telescope was transported 41 kilometers to a port in Seal Beach, California, in a single night.
17. The transport speed was approximately 8 kilometers per hour due to the container's size and weight.
18. The telescope was then shipped to French Guiana via a French cargo ship, a 16-day journey.
**Miscellaneous**
19. The entire project from the first pieces to the finished telescope took about 13 years (2004-2017).
20. The project involved space partners from all over the world contributing parts to the telescope.