Timeline of the James Webb Space Telescope
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is an international 21st-century space observatory that was launched on 25 December 2021. It is intended to be the premier observatory of the 2020s, combining the largest mirror yet on a near-infrared space telescope with a suite of technologically advanced instruments from around the world. The telescope is designed to last at least five and a half years (six months calibration plus five years science operations), but with a goal of ten years. The limiting factor is expected to be fuel to maintain its halo  orbit, of which there is enough for at least ten years. It was announced in December 2021 that due to the accuracy of the orbital insertion and course correction burns the telescope had more fuel available than originally planned and could operate for "significantly" longer than the original ten year planned life span. JWST is expected to cost at least $11.23 billion, including design, construction, and five years of operations (does not include extended mission funding) or International contributions. After-launch deployment. Nearly a month after launch, a trajectory correction was initiated to place the James Webb Space Telescope  into a halo orbit at . Its next five months are being spent cooling NIRCam and the Mid-Infrared Instrument down further, aligning and calibrating its mirrors while focusing on HD 84406, a bright star in the constellation Ursa Major, and testing the instruments.