‘Exceptional day’: Canadian scientists rejoice successful launch of space telescope
Global News
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope will search for unprecedented details on the first galaxies created after the Big Bang.
As the world tuned in on Christmas morning to see NASA‘s James Webb Space Telescope lift off, Canadian scientists who played a crucial part in its creation were emotional.
The collaboration between European and Canadian space agencies soared from French Guiana on South America’s northeastern coast on Saturday, riding a European Ariane rocket into the Christmas morning skies.
Nathalie Ouellette, outreach scientist for the Webb at the Universite de Montreal, was with her family watching the long-awaited launch.
“To see the telescope leave Earth ? what a joy for Christmas,” said Ouellette in an interview Saturday.
“I cried. We took a video to commemorate the moment. The launch went perfectly.”
The telescope will search for unprecedented details on the first galaxies created after the Big Bang, and on the development of potentially life-friendly planets beyond our solar system.
For Lisa Campbell, president of the Canadian Space Agency, the launch was the culmination of a 30-year-old dream.
“What an exceptional day,” Campbell said.