What's Stopping the James Webb Space Telescope?

The video discusses the development and challenges of a new space telescope, designed to succeed Hubble and Spitzer. Its mission is to explore the universe's origins by observing distant galaxies in infrared. The project faces technical challenges, including redshift, sunshield design, and launch complexities. Despite delays, the telescope's scientific potential is deemed worth the effort, with a launch planned for March 2021.

What is the primary mission of the new space telescope?

• To explore the surface of Mars

• To study the origins of the universe

• To monitor Earth's weather patterns

• To search for extraterrestrial life

Why is capturing light from distant stars challenging?

• The stars are moving too fast

• The light is blocked by other celestial bodies

• The universe is expanding, causing redshift

• The stars are too bright

What is a significant risk associated with the telescope's design?

• It could be too heavy to launch

• It might not fit on the launch rocket

• It has nearly 350 single point failures

• It might not withstand space radiation

What was a major human error encountered during testing?

• Loose bolts during a vibration test

• Misalignment of the sunshield

• Incorrect assembly of the mirror

• Failure to launch on time

What was the conclusion of the independent review board regarding the project?

• The scientific potential is worth the effort

• The launch should be delayed indefinitely

• The project should be canceled

• The telescope should be redesigned