For some reason the above tweet from ESA’s chief, and several others saying the same thing, are now deleted…https://twitter.com/dutchspace/status/1471798763379474436?s=21
Coming up for the @NASAWebb telescope (UTC-5):✨ Dec. 21 at 2pm ET: Pre-launch briefing✨ Dec. 24 at 6am ET: Live launch broadcast✨ Dec. 24 at 6:30am ET: @NASA_Es launch broadcastWe're ready to #UnfoldTheUniverse! Get details on how you can watch: https://go.nasa.gov/3siCTpi
This will be my unofficial Christmas present. Here's hoping that everything will go right. Gonna watch this live!
Today, 21 December 2021, the Launch Readiness Review for flight VA256 to launch the James Webb Space Telescope has been successfully completed and concluded with the authorisation to perform the launch vehicle rollout and the start of the launch chronology.However, due to adverse weather conditions at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, flight VA256 – initially scheduled for 24 December – is being postponed.The new targeted launch date is 25 December, as early as possible within the launch window 12:20–12:52 GMT / 13:20–13:52 CET.Tomorrow evening, local time in Kourou, another weather forecast will be issued in order to confirm the date of 25 December. The Ariane 5 launch vehicle and Webb are in stable and safe conditions in the final assembly building.
Webb launch confirmed for 24 December17/12/2021
[D]uring a call with reporters a few hours before the announcement, Jérôme Rives, vice president of the Ariane 5 business unit at Arianespace, said one issue was upper-level winds.“We have one potential concern regarding the higher altitude winds,” he said, noting it would be examined at a weather briefing scheduled for shortly after the media call. “We are going to look at that very accurately in about an hour to assess the situation for the 24th of December and see whether we can launch on that date.”
SN, Weather bumps JWST launch to Christmas Day, Dec 21Quote[D]uring a call with reporters a few hours before the announcement, Jérôme Rives, vice president of the Ariane 5 business unit at Arianespace, said one issue was upper-level winds.“We have one potential concern regarding the higher altitude winds,” he said, noting it would be examined at a weather briefing scheduled for shortly after the media call. “We are going to look at that very accurately in about an hour to assess the situation for the 24th of December and see whether we can launch on that date.”Thus, the 25th.Is this a regular occurrence in the tropics at this time of year?
Flight VA256 – UpdateThe target launch date for the James Webb Space Telescope is confirmed on December 25, as early as possible within the following launch window: Between 7:20 a.m. and 7:52 a.m. Washington; Between 9:20 a.m. and 9:52 a.m. Kourou; Between 12:20 p.m. and 12:52 p.m. UTC; Between 1:20 p.m. and 1:52 p.m. Paris; Between 9:20 p.m. and 9:52 p.m. Tokyo.According to the planning of operations, the Ariane 5 launcher will be rolled-out on December 23, in the morning local time.
