The world's most powerful telescope is set to profoundly transform scientists' understanding of the universe and our place in it.
Astronomers want to use Webb to study super-massive black holes believed to occupy the centers of distant galaxies.
Cameras on the telescope will take images of other planets to look for the presence of water and other hints of life in the atmosphere. While Hubble operated mainly at optical and ultraviolet wavelengths, Webb will be able to see the cosmos in the infrared spectrum, peering through clouds of gas and dust where stars are being born.
Controllers will be given 30 minutes to launch the Ariane 5 rocket, which is carrying the telescope - but they are aiming for it to happen more quickly than that.
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