The James Webb Space Telescope Mission
Authors: Gardner Jonathan P. , Mather John C. , Abbott Randy , Abell James S. , Abernathy Mark , Abney Faith E. , Abraham John G. , Abraham Roberto , Abul-Huda Yasin M. , Acton Scott , Adams Cynthia K. , Adams Evan , Adler David S. , Adriaensen Maarten , Aguilar Jonathan Albert , Ahmed Mansoor , Ahmed Nasif S. , Ahmed Tanjira , Albat Rüdeger , Albert Loïc , Alberts Stacey , Aldridge David , Allen Mary Marsha , Allen Shaune S. , Altenburg Martin , Altunc Serhat , Alvarez Jose Lorenzo , Álvarez-Márquez Javier , de Oliveira Catarina Alves , Ambrose Leslie L. , Anandakrishnan Satya M. , Andersen Gregory C. , Anderson Harry James , Anderson Jay , Anderson Kristen , Anderson Sara M. , Aprea Julio , Archer Benita J. , Arenberg Jonathan W. , Argyriou Ioannis , Arribas Santiago , Artigau Étienne , Arvai Amanda Rose , Atcheson Paul , Atkinson Charles B. , Averbukh Jesse , Aymergen Cagatay , Bacinski John J. , Baggett Wayne E. , Bagnasco Giorgio , Baker Lynn L. , Balzano Vicki Ann , Banks Kimberly A. , Baran David A. , Barker Elizabeth A. , Barrett Larry K. , Barringer Bruce O. , Barto Allison , Bast William , Baudoz Pierre , Baum Stefi , Beatty Thomas G. , Beaulieu Mathilde , Bechtold Kathryn , Beck Tracy , Beddard Megan M. , Beichman Charles , Bellagama Larry , Bely Pierre , Berger Timothy W. , Bergeron Louis E. , Bernier Antoine-Darveau , Bertch Maria D. , Beskow Charlotte , Betz Laura E. , Biagetti Carl P. , Birkmann Stephan , Bjorklund Kurt F. , Blackwood James D. , Blazek Ronald Paul , Blossfeld Stephen , Bluth Marcel , Boccaletti Anthony , Boegner Jr Martin E. , Bohlin Ralph C. , Boia John Joseph , Böker Torsten , Bonaventura N. , Bond Nicholas A. , Bosley Kari Ann , Boucarut Rene A. , Bouchet Patrice , Bouwman Jeroen , Bower Gary , Bowers Ariel S. , Bowers Charles W. , Boyce Leslye A. , Boyer Christine T. , Boyer Martha L. , Boyer Michael , Boyer Robert , Bradley Larry D. , Brady Gregory R. , Brandl Bernhard R. , Brannen Judith L. , Breda David , Bremmer Harold G. , Brennan David , Bresnahan Pamela A. , Bright Stacey N. , Broiles Brian J. , Bromenschenkel Asa , Brooks Brian H. , Brooks Keira J. , Brown Bob , Brown Bruce , Brown Thomas M. , Bruce Barry W. , Bryson Jonathan G. , Bujanda Edwin D. , Bullock Blake M. , Bunker A. J. , Bureo Rafael , Burt Irving J. , Bush James Aaron , Bushouse Howard A. , Bussman Marie C. , Cabaud Olivier , Cale Steven , Calhoon Charles D. , Calvani Humberto , Canipe Alicia M. , Caputo Francis M. , Cara Mihai , Carey Larkin , Case Michael Eli , Cesari Thaddeus , Cetorelli Lee D. , Chance Don R. , Chandler Lynn , Chaney Dave , Chapman George N. , Charlot S. , Chayer Pierre , Cheezum Jeffrey I. , Chen Bin , Chen Christine H. , Cherinka Brian , Chichester Sarah C. , Chilton Zachary S. , Chittiraibalan Dharini , Clampin Mark , Clark Charles R. , Clark Kerry W. , Clark Stephanie M. , Claybrooks Edward E. , Cleveland Keith A. , Cohen Andrew L. , Cohen Lester M. , Colón Knicole D. , Coleman Benee L. , Colina Luis , Comber Brian J. , Comeau Thomas M. , Comer Thomas , Reis Alain Conde , Connolly Dennis C. , Conroy Kyle E. , Contos Adam R. , Contreras James , Cook Neil J. , Cooper James L. , Cooper Rachel Aviva , Correia Michael F. , Correnti Matteo , Cossou Christophe , Costanza Brian F. , Coulais Alain , Cox Colin R. , Coyle Ray T. , Cracraft Misty M. , Crew Keith A. , Curtis Gary J. , Cusveller Bianca , Maciel Cleyciane Da Costa , Dailey Christopher T. , Daugeron Frédéric , Davidson Greg S. , Davies James E. , Davis Katherine Anne , Davis Michael S. , Day Ratna , de Chambure Daniel , de Jong Pauline , De Marchi Guido , Dean Bruce H. , Decker John E. , Delisa Amy S. , Dell Lawrence C. , Dellagatta Gail , Dembinska Franciszka , Demosthenes Sandor , Dencheva Nadezhda M. , Deneu Philippe , DePriest William W. , Deschenes Jeremy , Dethienne Nathalie , Detre Örs Hunor , Diaz Rosa Izela , Dicken Daniel , DiFelice Audrey S. , Dillman Matthew , Disharoon Maureen O. , Dixon William V. , Doggett Jesse B. , Dominguez Keisha L. , Donaldson Thomas S. , Doria-Warner Cristina M. , Santos Tony Dos , Doty Heather , Douglas, Jr Robert E. , Doyon René , Dressler Alan , Driggers Jennifer , Driggers Phillip A. , Dunn Jamie L. , DuPrie Kimberly C. , Dupuis Jean , Durning John , Dutta Sanghamitra B. , Earl Nicholas M. , Eccleston Paul , Ecobichon Pascal , Egami Eiichi , Ehrenwinkler Ralf , Eisenhamer Jonathan D. , Eisenhower Michael , Eisenstein Daniel J. , El Hamel Zaky , Elie Michelle L. , Elliott James , Elliott Kyle Wesley , Engesser Michael , Espinoza Néstor , Etienne Odessa , Etxaluze Mireya , Evans Leah , Fabreguettes Luce , Falcolini Massimo , Falini Patrick R. , Fatig Curtis , Feeney Matthew , Feinberg Lee D. , Fels Raymond , Ferdous Nazma , Ferguson Henry C. , Ferrarese Laura , Ferreira Marie-Héléne , Ferruit Pierre , Ferry Malcolm , Filippazzo Joseph Charles , Firre Daniel , Fix Mees , Flagey Nicolas , Flanagan Kathryn A. , Fleming Scott W. , Florian Michael , Flynn James R. , Foiadelli Luca , Fontaine Mark R. , Fontanella Erin Marie , Forshay Peter Randolph , Fortner Elizabeth A. , Fox Ori D. , Framarini Alexandro P. , Francisco John I. , Franck Randy , Franx Marijn , Franz David E. , Friedman Scott D. , Friend Katheryn E. , Frost James R. , Fu Henry , Fullerton Alexander W. , Gaillard Lionel , Galkin Sergey , Gallagher Ben , Galyer Anthony D. , García Marín Macarena , Gardner Lisa E. , Garland Dennis , Garrett Bruce Albert , Gasman Danny , Gáspár András , Gastaud René , Gaudreau Daniel , Gauthier Peter Timothy , Geers Vincent , Geithner Paul H. , Gennaro Mario , Gerber John , Gereau John C. , Giampaoli Robert , Giardino Giovanna , Gibbons Paul C. , Gilbert Karoline , Gilman Larry , Girard Julien H. , Giuliano Mark E. , Gkountis Konstantinos , Glasse Alistair , Glassmire Kirk Zachary , Glauser Adrian Michael , Glazer Stuart D. , Goldberg Joshua , Golimowski David A. , Gonzaga Shireen P. , Gordon Karl D. , Gordon Shawn J. , Goudfrooij Paul , Gough Michael J. , Graham Adrian J. , Grau Christopher M. , Green Joel David , Greene Gretchen R. , Greene Thomas P. , Greenfield Perry E. , Greenhouse Matthew A. , Greve Thomas R. , Greville Edgar M. , Grimaldi Stefano , Groe Frank E. , Groebner Andrew , Grumm David M. , Grundy Timothy , Güdel Manuel , Guillard Pierre , Guldalian John , Gunn Christopher A. , Gurule Anthony , Gutman Irvin Meyer , Guy Paul D. , Guyot Benjamin , Hack Warren J. , Haderlein Peter , Hagan James B. , Hagedorn Andria , Hainline Kevin , Haley Craig , Hami Maryam , Hamilton Forrest Clifford , Hammann Jeffrey , Hammel Heidi B. , Hanley Christopher J. , Hansen Carl August , Hardy Bruce , Harnisch Bernd , Harr Michael Hunter , Harris Pamela , Hart Jessica Ann , Hartig George F. , Hasan Hashima , Hashim Kathleen Marie , Hashimoto Ryan , Haskins Sujee J. , Hawkins Robert Edward , Hayden Brian , Hayden William L. , Healy Mike , Hecht Karen , Heeg Vince J. , Hejal Reem , Helm Kristopher A. , Hengemihle Nicholas J. , Henning Thomas , Henry Alaina , Henry Ronald L. , Henshaw Katherine , Hernandez Scarlin , Herrington Donald C. , Heske Astrid , Hesman Brigette Emily , Hickey David L. , Hilbert Bryan N. , Hines Dean C. , Hinz Michael R. , Hirsch Michael , Hitcho Robert S. , Hodapp Klaus , Hodge Philip E. , Hoffman Melissa , Holfeltz Sherie T. , Holler Bryan Jason , Hoppa Jennifer Rose , Horner Scott , Howard Joseph M. , Howard Richard J. , Huber Jean M. , Hunkeler Joseph S. , Hunter Alexander , Hunter David Gavin , Hurd Spencer W. , Hurst Brendan J. , Hutchings John B. , Hylan Jason E. , Ignat Luminita Ilinca , Illingworth Garth , Irish Sandra M. , Isaacs III John C. , Jackson Jr Wallace C. , Jaffe Daniel T. , Jahic Jasmin , Jahromi Amir , Jakobsen Peter , James Bryan , James John C. , James LeAndrea Rae , Jamieson William Brian , Jandra Raymond D. , Jayawardhana Ray , Jedrzejewski Robert , Jeffers Basil S. , Jensen Peter , Joanne Egges , Johns Alan T. , Johnson Carl A. , Johnson Eric L. , Johnson Patricia , Johnson Phillip Stephen , Johnson Thomas K. , Johnson Timothy W. , Johnstone Doug , Jollet Delphine , Jones Danny P. , Jones Gregory S. , Jones Olivia C. , Jones Ronald A. , Jones Vicki , Jordan Ian J. , Jordan Margaret E. , Jue Reginald , Jurkowski Mark H. , Justis Grant , Justtanont Kay , Kaleida Catherine C. , Kalirai Jason S. , Kalmanson Phillip Cabrales , Kaltenegger Lisa , Kammerer Jens , Kan Samuel K. , Kanarek Graham Childs , Kao Shaw-Hong , Karakla Diane M. , Karl Hermann , Kassin Susan A. , Kauffman David D. , Kavanagh Patrick , Kelley Leigh L. , Kelly Douglas M. , Kendrew Sarah , Kennedy Herbert V. , Kenny Deborah A. , Keski-Kuha Ritva A. , Keyes Charles D. , Khan Ali , Kidwell Richard C. , Kimble Randy A. , King James S. , King Richard C. , Kinzel Wayne M. , Kirk Jeffrey R. , Kirkpatrick Marc E. , Klaassen Pamela , Klingemann Lana , Klintworth Paul U. , Knapp Bryan Adam , Knight Scott , Knollenberg Perry J. , Knutsen Daniel Mark , Koehler Robert , Koekemoer Anton M. , Kofler Earl T. , Kontson Vicki L. , Kovacs Aiden Rose , Kozhurina-Platais Vera , Krause Oliver , Kriss Gerard A. , Krist John , Kristoffersen Monica R. , Krogel Claudia , Krueger Anthony P. , Kulp Bernard A. , Kumari Nimisha , Kwan Sandy W. , Kyprianou Mark , Labador Aurora Gadiano , Labiano Álvaro , Lafrenière David , Lagage Pierre-Olivier , Laidler Victoria G. , Laine Benoit , Laird Simon , Lajoie Charles-Philippe , Lallo Matthew D. , Lam May Yen , LaMassa Stephanie Marie , Lambros Scott D. , Lampenfield Richard Joseph , Lander Matthew Ed , Langston James Hutton , Larson Kirsten , Larson Melora , LaVerghetta Robert Joseph , Law David R. , Lawrence Jon F. , Lee David W. , Lee Janice , Lee Yat-Ning Paul , Leisenring Jarron , Leveille Michael Dunlap , Levenson Nancy A. , Levi Joshua S. , Levine Marie B. , Lewis Dan , Lewis Jake , Lewis Nikole , Libralato Mattia , Lidon Norbert , Liebrecht Paula Louisa , Lightsey Paul , Lilly Simon , Lim Frederick C. , Lim Pey Lian , Ling Sai-Kwong , Link Lisa J. , Link Miranda Nicole , Lipinski Jamie L. , Liu XiaoLi , Lo Amy S. , Lobmeyer Lynette , Logue Ryan M. , Long Chris A. , Long Douglas R. , Long Ilana D. , Long Knox S. , López-Caniego Marcos , Lotz Jennifer M. , Love-Pruitt Jennifer M. , Lubskiy Michael , Luers Edward B. , Luetgens Robert A. , Luevano Annetta J. , G. Flores Lui Sarah Marie , Lund III James M. , Lundquist Ray A. , Lunine Jonathan , Lützgendorf Nora , Lynch Richard J. , MacDonald Alex J. , MacDonald Kenneth , Macias Matthew J. , Macklis Keith I. , Maghami Peiman , Maharaja Rishabh Y. , Maiolino Roberto , Makrygiannis Konstantinos G. , Malla Sunita Giri , Malumuth Eliot M. , Manjavacas Elena , Marini Andrea , Marrione Amanda , Marston Anthony , Martel André R , Martin Didier , Martin Peter G. , Martinez Kristin L. , Maschmann Marc , Masci Gregory L. , Masetti Margaret E. , Maszkiewicz Michael , Matthews Gary , Matuskey Jacob E. , McBrayer Glen A. , McCarthy Donald W. , McCaughrean Mark J. , McClare Leslie A. , McClare Michael D. , McCloskey John C. , McClurg Taylore D. , McCoy Martin , McElwain Michael W. , McGregor Roy D. , McGuffey Douglas B. , McKay Andrew G. , McKenzie William K. , McLean Brian , McMaster Matthew , McNeil Warren , De Meester Wim , Mehalick Kimberly L. , Meixner Margaret , Meléndez Marcio , Menzel Michael P. , Menzel Michael T. , Merz Matthew , Mesterharm David D. , Meyer Michael R. , Meyett Michele L. , Meza Luis E. , Midwinter Calvin , Milam Stefanie N. , Miller Jay Todd , Miller William C. , Miskey Cherie L. , Misselt Karl , Mitchell Eileen P. , Mohan Martin , Montoya Emily E. , Moran Michael J. , Morishita Takahiro , Moro-Martín Amaya , Morrison Debra L. , Morrison Jane , Morse Ernie C. , Moschos Michael , Moseley S. H. , Mosier Gary E. , Mosner Peter , Mountain Matt , Muckenthaler Jason S. , Mueller Donald G. , Mueller Migo , Muhiem Daniella , Mühlmann Prisca , Mullally Susan Elizabeth , Mullen Stephanie M. , Munger Alan J , Murphy Jess , Murray Katherine T. , Muzerolle James C. , Mycroft Matthew , Myers Andrew , Myers Carey R. , R. Myers Fred Richard , Myers Richard , Myrick Kaila , Nagle, IV Adrian F. , Nayak Omnarayani , Naylor Bret , Neff Susan G. , Nelan Edmund P. , Nella John , Nguyen Duy Tuong , Nguyen Michael N. , Nickson Bryony , Nidhiry John Joseph , Niedner Malcolm B. , Nieto-Santisteban Maria , Nikolov Nikolay K. , Nishisaka Mary Ann , Noriega-Crespo Alberto , Nota Antonella , O’Mara Robyn C. , Oboryshko Michael , O’Brien Marcus B. , Ochs William R. , Offenberg Joel D. , Ogle Patrick Michael , Ohl Raymond G. , Olmsted Joseph Hamden , Osborne Shannon Barbara , O’Shaughnessy Brian Patrick , Östlin Göran , O’Sullivan Brian , Otor O. Justin , Ottens Richard , Ouellette Nathalie N.-Q. , Outlaw Daria J. , Owens Beverly A. , Pacifici Camilla , Page James Christophe , Paranilam James G. , Park Sang , Parrish Keith A. , Paschal Laura , Patapis Polychronis , Patel Jignasha , Patrick Keith , Pattishall Jr Robert A. , Paul Douglas William , Paul Shirley J. , Pauly Tyler Andrew , Pavlovsky Cheryl M. , Peña-Guerrero Maria , Pedder Andrew H. , Peek Matthew Weldon , Pelham Patricia A. , Penanen Konstantin , Perriello Beth A. , Perrin Marshall D. , Perrine Richard F. , Perrygo Chuck , Peslier Muriel , Petach Michael , Peterson Karla A. , Pfarr Tom , Pierson James M. , Pietraszkiewicz Martin , Pilchen Guy , Pipher Judy L. , Pirzkal Norbert , Pitman Joseph T. , Player Danielle M. , Plesha Rachel , Plitzke Anja , Pohner John A. , Poletis Karyn Konstantin , Pollizzi Joseph A. , Polster Ethan , Pontius James T. , Pontoppidan Klaus , Porges Susana C. , Potter Gregg D. , Prescott Stephen , Proffitt Charles R. , Pueyo Laurent , Quispe Neira Irma Aracely , Radich Armando , Rager Reiko T. , Rameau Julien , Ramey Deborah D. , Alarcon Rafael Ramos , Rampini Riccardo , Rapp Robert , Rashford Robert A. , Rauscher Bernard J. , Ravindranath Swara , Rawle Timothy , Rawlings Tynika N. , Ray Tom , Regan Michael W. , Rehm Brian , Rehm Kenneth D. , Reid Neill , Reis Carl A. , Renk Florian , Reoch Tom B. , Ressler Michael , Rest Armin W. , Reynolds Paul J. , Richon Joel G. , Richon Karen V. , Ridgaway Michael , Riedel Adric Richard , Rieke George H. , Rieke Marcia J. , Rifelli Richard E. , Rigby Jane R. , Riggs Catherine S. , Ringel Nancy J. , Ritchie Christine E. , Rix Hans-Walter , Robberto Massimo , Robinson Gregory L. , Robinson Michael S. , Robinson Orion , Rock Frank W. , Rodriguez David R. , del Pino Bruno Rodríguez , Roellig Thomas , Rohrbach Scott O. , Roman Anthony J. , Romelfanger Frederick J. , Romo Jr Felipe P. , Rosales Jose J. , Rose Perry , Roteliuk Anthony F. , Roth Marc N. , Rothwell Braden Quinn , Rouzaud Sylvain , Rowe Jason , Rowlands Neil , Roy Arpita , Royer Pierre , Rui Chunlei , Rumler Peter , Rumpl William , Russ Melissa L. , Ryan Michael B. , Ryan Richard M. , Saad Karl , Sabata Modhumita , Sabatino Rick , Sabbi Elena , Sabelhaus Phillip A. , Sabia Stephen , Sahu Kailash C. , Saif Babak N. , Salvignol Jean-Christophe , Samara-Ratna Piyal , Samuelson Bridget S. , Sanders Felicia A. , Sappington Bradley , Sargent B. A. , Sauer Arne , Savadkin Bruce J. , Sawicki Marcin , Schappell Tina M. , Scheffer Caroline , Scheithauer Silvia , Scherer Ron , Schiff Conrad , Schlawin Everett , Schmeitzky Olivier , Schmitz Tyler S. , Schmude Donald J. , Schneider Analyn , Schreiber Jürgen , Schroeven-Deceuninck Hilde , Schultz John J. , Schwab Ryan , Schwartz Curtis H. , Scoccimarro Dario , Scott John F. , Scott Michelle B. , Seaton Bonita L. , Seely Bruce S. , Seery Bernard , Seidleck Mark , Sembach Kenneth , Shanahan Clare Elizabeth , Shaughnessy Bryan , Shaw Richard A. , Shay Christopher Michael , Sheehan Even , Sheth Kartik , Shih Hsin-Yi , Shivaei Irene , Siegel Noah , Sienkiewicz Matthew G. , Simmons Debra D. , Simon Bernard P. , Sirianni Marco , Sivaramakrishnan Anand , Slade Jeffrey E. , Sloan G. C. , Slocum Christine E. , Slowinski Steven E. , Smith Corbett T. , Smith Eric P. , Smith Erin C. , Smith Koby , Smith Robert , Smith Stephanie J. , Smolik John L. , Soderblom David R. , Sohn Sangmo Tony , Sokol Jeff , Sonneborn George , Sontag Christopher D. , Sooy Peter R. , Soummer Remi , Southwood Dana M. , Spain Kay , Sparmo Joseph , Speer David T. , Spencer Richard , Sprofera Joseph D. , Stallcup Scott S. , Stanley Marcia K. , Stansberry John A. , Stark Christopher C. , Starr Carl W. , Stassi Diane Y. , Steck Jane A. , Steeley Christine D. , Stephens Matthew A. , Stephenson Ralph J. , Stewart Alphonso C. , Stiavelli Massimo , Jr Hervey Stockman , Strada Paolo , Straughn Amber N. , Streetman Scott , Strickland David Kendal , Strobele Jingping F. , Stuhlinger Martin , Stys Jeffrey Edward , Such Miguel , Sukhatme Kalyani , Sullivan Joseph F. , Sullivan Pamela C. , Sumner Sandra M. , Sun Fengwu , Sunnquist Benjamin Dale , Swade Daryl Allen , Swam Michael S. , Swenton Diane F. , Swoish Robby A. , Tam Litten Oi In , Tamas Laszlo , Tao Andrew , Taylor David K. , Taylor Joanna M. , Plate Maurice te , Van Tea Mason , Teague Kelly K. , Telfer Randal C. , Temim Tea , Texter Scott C. , Thatte Deepashri G. , Thompson Christopher Lee , Thompson Linda M. , Thomson Shaun R. , Thronson Harley , Tierney C. M. , Tikkanen Tuomo , Tinnin Lee , Tippet William Thomas , Todd Connor William , Tran Hien D. , Trauger John , Trejo Edwin Gregorio , Vinh Truong Justin Hoang , Tsukamoto Christine L. , Tufail Yasir , Tumlinson Jason , Tustain Samuel , Tyra Harrison , Ubeda Leonardo , Underwood Kelli , Uzzo Michael A. , Vaclavik Steven , Valenduc Frida , Valenti Jeff A. , Van Campen Julie , van de Wetering Inge , Van Der Marel Roeland P. , van Haarlem Remy , Vandenbussche Bart , van Dishoeck Ewine F. , Vanterpool Dona D. , Vernoy Michael R. , Vila Costas Maria Begoña , Volk Kevin , Voorzaat Piet , Voyton Mark F. , Vydra Ekaterina , Waddy Darryl J. , Waelkens Christoffel , Wahlgren Glenn Michael , Walker Jr Frederick E. , Wander Michel , Warfield Christine K. , Warner Gerald , Wasiak Francis C. , Wasiak Matthew F. , Wehner James , Weiler Kevin R. , Weilert Mark , Weiss Stanley B. , Wells Martyn , Welty Alan D. , Wheate Lauren , Wheeler Thomas P. , White Christy L. , Whitehouse Paul , Whiteleather Jennifer Margaret , Whitman William Russell , Williams Christina C. , Willmer Christopher N. A. , Willott Chris J. , Willoughby Scott P. , Wilson Andrew , Wilson Debra , Wilson Donna V. , Windhorst Rogier , Wislowski Emily Christine , Wolfe David J. , Wolfe Michael A. , Wolff Schuyler , Wondel Amancio , Woo Cindy , Woods Robert T. , Worden Elaine , Workman William , Wright Gillian S. , Wu Carl , Wu Chi-Rai , Wun Dakin D. , Wymer Kristen B. , Yadetie Thomas , Yan Isabelle C. , Yang Keith C. , Yates Kayla L. , Yeager Christopher R. , Yerger Ethan John , Young Erick T. , Young Gary , Yu Gene , Yu Susan , Zak Dean S. , Zeidler Peter , Zepp Robert , Zhou Julia , Zincke Christian A. , Zonak Stephanie , Zondag Elisabeth 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Twenty-six years ago a small committee report, building on earlier studies, expounded a compelling and poetic vision for the future of astronomy, calling for an infrared-optimized space telescope with an aperture of at least 4 m. With the support of their governments in the US, Europe, and Canada, 20,000 people realized that vision as the 6.5 m James Webb Space Telescope. A generation of astronomers will celebrate their accomplishments for the life of the mission, potentially as long as 20 yr, and beyond. This report and the scientific discoveries that follow are extended thank-you notes to the 20,000 team members. The telescope is working perfectly, with much better image quality than expected. In this and accompanying papers, we give a brief history, describe the observatory, outline its objectives and current observing program, and discuss the inventions and people who made it possible. We cite detailed reports on the design and the measured performance on orbit.