James Webb Space Telescope cleared for late December launch - Ars Technica

Following a scare last week, NASA and European Space Agency officials have said they will continue launch preparations for the James Webb Space Telescope.

The $10 billion instrument is slated to launch on a European-built Ariane 5 rocket no earlier than December 22.

The decision to press ahead with the Webb telescope's launch countdown counts as good news after a slightly worrisome announcement one week ago.

On November 22, NASA said it would delay the space telescope's planned launch by a few days to investigate an "anomaly" during processing operations at the launch site in Kourou, French Guiana.

"Technicians were preparing to attach Webb to the launch vehicle adapter, which is used to integrate the observatory with the upper stage of the Ariane 5 rocket," NASA said in a blog post.

"A sudden, unplanned release of a clamp band—which secures Webb to the launch vehicle adapter—caused a vibration throughout the observatory.".

The much-anticipated launch of the space telescope is only the beginning of the road for Webb to begin science operations, however.