NOVA

S49E10 Ultimate Space Telescope

How did NASA engineers create and successfully launch the most ambitious telescope ever conceived? Explore the thrilling journey of the James Webb Space Telescope, the most intricate machine ever sent into orbit. If it operates as intended, this powerful instrument could provide unprecedented insights into the universe's origins and possibly analyze the atmospheres of distant planets in the search for extraterrestrial life. However, its size far exceeds that of the iconic Hubble Space Telescope, and it will function one million miles from Earth—leaving no opportunity for repairs. Follow the dedicated engineers as they embark on this critical mission to unlock the cosmos' hidden mysteries.