Space Photos Show The Secrets of Our Universe

NASA proves that we can work together and achieve great things.

This telescope was created over two decades by four presidents, two Republicans, and two Democrats.

As a former Florida senior senator, I am familiar with the support Webb received from lawmakers from both sides of the aisle. It is rare, if not impossible, to find an issue that unites people from different ideologies these days. Humanity’s desire to find out is not limited to any one political party. It’s an American tradition and a source of strength.

There have been setbacks, as with any groundbreaking project. The Webb team was not stopped by any setbacks, not even the pandemic. Many thousands of scientists, engineers, and other professionals from 29 different states have pushed the boundaries of what was once thought impossible.

In December, the telescope was successfully launched in French Guiana. 

This mission, which was one of NASA’s most risky, was not like other missions. Webb experienced 344 single-point failures. This means that hundreds of steps were required to make sure mission success during a three-week trip of 1,000,000 miles.

Webb was not without its doubters, from the very beginning of its conception until the moment it reached the skies. While we sat at NASA’s edge, I thought often about the many pioneers and innovators who persevered through the challenges and put their passion into the project.

Their work inspires the world today and demonstrates NASA’s commitment to partnering with other space agencies around the globe. Webb is an international collaboration between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Canadian Space Agency. This mission was possible thanks to the contributions of more than 14 pioneers and innovators. Diplomacy will be sparked by our discoveries in space.

NASA must continue to innovate with a bold spirit, such as with the James Webb Space Telescope. NASA must be bold in order to introduce new technologies that unlock the secrets of our universe. NASA must be bold and take calculated risks because the reward is worth the risk.

We saw Webb’s first light image on Monday. More images will be released Tuesday, starting at 10:30 AM ET. This telescope holds the promise of discovery. It is the product of all of humanity.