James Webb space telescope set to be launched on December 25, mounted on Ariane 5 rocket

James Webb space telescope mounting process is done. The largest telescope ever is all set to launch on Christmas eve with Ariane 5 rocket.

James Webb Space Telescope is mounted to Ariane 5 rocket. (via NASA)

James Webb Space Telescope, the largest space telescope ever and the most noteworthy after Hubble is all set to launch on December 24. It has been placed on top of the Ariane 5 rocket which will be will launch to space from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana on Thursday. The European Space Agency (ESA) shared a series of photos showcasing the process of placing the James Webb telescope on the top of the Ariane 5 rocket.

They have shared that the telescope after bringing into the final assembly building, was lifted slowly for about 40m before being manoeuvred on top of the rocket. The technicians then bolted Webb's launch vehicle adapter down to the rocket. ESA said, “This whole process was performed under strict safety and cleanliness regulations, as it was one of the most delicate operations during the entire launch campaign for Webb.”

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A ‘shower curtain' of about 12m high and 8m in diameter was installed in between two platforms, to create a closed-off space around Webb to avoid any contamination.

The next step will be entailing the encapsulation of the telescope inside Ariane 5's specially adapted fairing. The telescope has been designed to find answers to questions about the universe and for other breakthrough discoveries in the field of astronomy.

The telescope is developed to work on a communications issue between the observatory and the launch vehicle system.

The James Webb Space Telescope, is an international partnership between NASA, ESA, and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). It is not only the largest but also the most powerful telescope ever to be launched into space.

The ESA was tasked with developing and preparing Ariane 5 adaptations for the mission. The telescope carries a battery (made up of Lithium-ion) and a six-metre solar array. The array is made up of five panels which will be deployed first. The panels are folded up and stowed in the launch vehicle. Once the telescope will go off of the battery power it will start generating its own power using the panels – sunlight to electricity