NASA will hold a series of virtual media briefings and events leading up to the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope, the premier space science observatory of the next decade. Webb, an international partnership with the European and Canadian space agencies, is targeted for launch Dec. 18 from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana, on the northeastern coast of South America.
NASA has also released several new Webb media resources, including a digital press kit, now available online:
- Digital press kit
- Video: 29 Days on the Edge highlighting the complex series of deployments Webb will complete as it unfolds in space
- An updated suite of materials online, including images and videos, b-roll, and animations
- Media interview request form
The full schedule of media events is as follows (all times eastern):
Tuesday, Nov. 2
11 a.m.: Media briefing on Webb engineering and spacecraft deployments
Thursday, Nov. 18
11 a.m.: Media briefing on Webb science goals
2 p.m.: Media briefing on Webb science instruments
Wednesday, Dec. 15
Time TBD: Prelaunch media briefing
All media briefings will take place virtually and will livestream on NASA TV, the NASA app, and the agencys website. Registration information for the briefings, as well as the schedule of launch coverage events, is forthcoming.
In addition, NASA invites members of the public to create art in any form that depicts what they believe Webb will discover. Participants can share an image or video of themselves with their artwork on social media using the hashtag #UnfoldTheUniverse. The deadline for submissions is Dec. 18. NASA will share submitted art on its website and social media platforms and will feature select participants in Webbs historic live launch broadcast.
The Webb Space Telescope will explore every phase of cosmic history from within our solar system to the most distant observable galaxies in the early universe and everything in between. Webb will reveal new and unexpected discoveries, and help humanity understand the origins of the universe and our place in it.
