 Ariane 5 containing the James Webb Space Telescope moments after lift-off | |
| Ariane 5 ECA+ launch | |
|---|---|
| Launch | 25 December 2021, 12:20:00 UTC[1] |
| Operator | Arianespace |
| Pad | Guyana Space Centre, ELA-3 |
| Payload | James Webb Space Telescope |
| Outcome | Success[2] |
| Components | |
| Serial no. | 5113 |
| Ariane launches | |
Ariane flight VA256 was an Ariane 5 rocket flight that launched the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) into space on 25 December 2021.[3] It was 2021's final Ariane flight, its most valuable payload to date, and the 256th Ariane mission. The launch was described by NASA as "flawless" and "perfect".[4]
- ^ Loff, Sarah (21 December 2021). "James Webb Space Telescope Launch Update". NASA. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
- ^ Strickland, Ashley. "The most powerful telescope ever built has successfully launched". CNN. CNN. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
ArianeRelease20211225was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Tereza Pultarova (25 December 2021). "'It's truly Christmas': James Webb Space Telescope's yuletide launch has NASA overjoyed". Space.com.