Technicians lift the mirror of the James Webb Space Telescope at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt   | Photo Credit: Laura Betz

NASA has delayed the launch of its much awaited, $8 billion James Webb Space Telescope — set to be the world’s biggest space observatory — until at least May 2020.

The telescope is currently undergoing final integration and test phases that will require more time to ensure a successful mission, the U.S. space agency said.

The James Webb Space Telescope will be complementing the scientific discoveries of NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope and other science missions. The observatory will solve mysteries of our solar system, according to NASA.

After an independent assessment of remaining tasks for the highly complex space observatory, Webb’s previously revised 2019 launch window is now targeted for about May 2020.

‘Given highest priority’

“Webb is the highest priority project for the agency’s Science Mission Directorate, and the largest international space science project in U.S. history,” said Robert Lightfoot, acting NASA Administrator.

“All the observatory’s flight hardware is now complete, however, the issues brought to light with the spacecraft element are prompting us to take the necessary steps to refocus our efforts on the completion of this ambitious and complex observatory,” said Mr. Lightfoot.

Testing the hardware on the observatory’s telescope element and spacecraft element demonstrate that these systems individually meet their requirements.

However, recent findings from the project’s Standing Review Board indicate more time is needed to test and integrate these components together and then perform environmental testing.

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