This has been a fantastic example of academic-industry partnership, showcasing the skills and expertise of our scientists and engineers. The UK has played a crucial role in this once-in-a-generation mission, developing the Mid-Infrared Instrument, which will examine the physical and chemical properties of objects in the early universe in greater detail than ever. I am excited to see the fascinating discoveries the spacecraft makes as it reveals the evolution of the universe. Webb is set to re-write the text books on astronomy, showing us things about the universe we have never been able to see before. The MIRI development has been funded by the UK Space Agency and the Science and Technology Facilities Council, part of UK Research and Innovation, and ESA.Ĭaroline Harper, Head of Space Science at the UK Space Agency, said: JWST's Mid Infrared Instrument (MIRI), for which the UK leads the European Consortium. Scientists and engineers in the UK were crucial to the development and launch of the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), which will be able to see the faint light from the most distant stars, effectively looking further back in time than ever before, and to peer through dust and gas to spot stars being born. Webb will peer through dusty clouds in space to allow scientists to determine how the first galaxies were formed and will see our own solar system in whole new ways and in never-before-seen detail. The telescope is set to redefine our understanding of the cosmos and unveil some of the secrets of the distant Universe. Minister Freeman - JWST launch Seeing the Universe The project draws heavily on the world-class expertise of top UK scientists and engineers who were able to deliver vital pieces of this complex and powerful telescope.īeing at the heart of this international project showcases the innovative talent of the UK’s world-leading scientists and engineers, and emphasises our position as a global science powerhouse. Today is a monumental milestone for international and UK space science: the Webb Space Telescope will allow us to go further and deeper to explore and discover our planetary universe. Today’s launch also shows the enormous value of investing in our science and research base and cementing the UK’s position as a global science superpower – not only to give us a glimpse of galaxies beyond our own but also to support skilled jobs and boost investment here at home. It is testament to the immense skill and ingenuity of the UK’s world-leading scientists and engineers, together with their partners in Europe and the United States, that we have witnessed this historic moment today. The successful launch of the Webb Telescope marks another giant leap forward for space discovery and our understanding of the universe.

The mission is led by NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Canadian Space Agency, with the UK playing a major role by leading the European consortium, which designed, built and tested one of the four main science instruments, working closely with partners in the US. The telescope, known as ‘Webb’, blasted off from the Arianespace spaceport in French Guiana on 25 December 2021 at 12:20 pm - the culmination of decades of scientific collaboration.

Webb telescope launch