Hubble's Successor Is Fully-Fueled for Flight!

ESA - CNES - Arianespace / Optique video du CSG – P Piron

Earlier today, NASA reported that the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) was successfully loaded with all of its propellant as it is now only 16 days from launch aboard an Ariane 5 rocket!

At Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, technicians in fully-contained safety gear, known as SCAPE (Self-Contained Atmospheric Protective Ensemble) suits, spent nearly 10 days filling JWST with 42 gallons (159 liters) of hydrazine fuel and 21 gallons (79.5 liters) of dinitrogen tetroxide oxidizer, both highly-toxic to humans. This fuel will be vital when JWST begins engine burns that will allow it to reach its final station point 1 million miles from Earth roughly 30 days after launch...as well as conducting course-correction maneuvers throughout its mission.

The fueling process, which began on November 25, concluded on December 3 after the loading system was formally disconnected from the space telescope.

All that's left now before liftoff is JWST actually being attached to its launch vehicle. The Hubble Space Telescope's successor will soon be transferred to Guiana Space Centre's Final Assembly Building—where it will be placed atop Ariane 5 before the spacecraft is finally encapsulated by the rocket's payload fairing.

The Ariane 5 will then roll out to the pad two days before flight.

JWST will depart from Earth on December 22, at 4:20 AM, Pacific Standard Time (7:20 AM, Eastern Standard Time). Stay tuned!

What does a "gas station" look like for the world's largest space telescope? ⛽

Watch the James Webb Space Telescope get moved to its fueling area in part 5 of its Journey to Space. Next stop: the vehicle assembly building, where Webb will be placed on top of its rocket! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/JWL02qq0zK

— NASA Webb Telescope (@NASAWebb) December 6, 2021