JWST (50463)

COSPAR: 2021-130A | Alt Name: JWST

Image
JWST Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

December 25, 2021

Launch Site

FRGUI

Launch Pad

ELA3

Launch Vehicle

Ariane 5ECA+

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

50463

International Designator

2021-130A

Epoch

Tue, 28 Dec 2021 00:00:00 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

4.62°

Right Ascension

89.07°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

192.32°

Period

73541.35 min

Mean Motion

0.02 rev/day

Latitude

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Longitude

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Altitude

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Velocity

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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info

Name

JWST

Alternative Name

JWST

Type

Payload

Status

Operational

Owner

GSFC/ESA

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs
1 50463U 21130A   21362.00000000  .00000000  00000+0  00000+0 0  9997
2 50463   4.6198  89.0659 9884983 192.3200  17.4027 00.01958082    27

Source: Celestrak

Summary
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) satellite, designated NORAD CAT ID 50463 and OBJECT_ID 2021-130A, was launched on December 25, 2021, from ELA3 at FRGUI using an Ariane 5ECA+ launch vehicle. Its mission is to conduct astronomy observations in the visible to mid-infrared spectrum. The spacecraft has dimensions of approximately 8 meters in length and 4.5 meters in diameter with a span of 21.2 meters, including its equipment such as a 6.5-meter foldable mirror, NIRCam, NIRSpec, MIRI, and FGS instruments. It was manufactured by NGAS/GSFC for GSFC/ESA and has an expected lifetime of 5 to 10 years. At launch, JWST had a mass of 6161 kg with a dry mass of 5861 kg, powered by deployable solar arrays and batteries.
Physical Characteristics

Length

8

Diameter

4.5

Span

21.2

Dry Mass

5861

Launch Mass

6161

Shape

Box+dish+panels

Radar Cross Section

Unknown

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

James Webb Space Telescope

Purpose

Astronomy (visible to mid IR)

Mission

Astronomy (visible to mid IR)

Manufacturer

NGAS/GSFC

Life Expectancy

5 - 10 years

Bus

JWST

Configuration

Unknown

Motor

TR-500 x 4

Equipment

6.5 m foldable mirror, NIRCam, NIRSpec, MIRI, FGS

Power System

Deployable solar array, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

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