James Webb Space Telescope Delayed Again

Last October I wrote about the James Webb Space Telescope and its launch being delayed from 2018 to 2019.  Well guess what?  That 2019 launch has now been delayed to 2020.  Sigh.  Will the JWST ever launch?  These constant delays make you wonder.  Most projects end up delayed by some amount, but it seems the JWST delays keep coming and coming and coming.

The James Webb Space Telescope.

To put it simply, astronomers and engineers have encountered several problems that require more testing, resulting in the multi-year delay.  A delay is better than a cancellation or a failed telescope in space.  Hopefully everything can be tested and found to be in working order before the 2020 launch date.  The JWST will be an amazing telescope and help answer many astronomical questions.  But it needs to be launched first.  At the moment, the earliest possible launch date is May 2020, with further delays possible.  Keep your fingers crossed!  

I know we were all looking forward to that launch day later this year, but we must wait two more years.  What's that saying?  Patience is a virtue?  Sure...but I'd rather have a working JWST now!!!