Call for media: invitation to join pre-launch press programme to see James Webb Space Telescope at Europe’s Spaceport before launch

Webb will be the largest, most powerful telescope ever launched into space. It follows in the footsteps of the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope as the next great space science observatory, designed to answer outstanding questions about the Universe and to make breakthrough discoveries in all fields of astronomy. The telescope will be launched on an Ariane 5 from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana. As well as launch services, ESA contributes to two of the four science instruments (NIRSpec and MIRI), and provides personnel to support mission operations. Webb is an international partnership between NASA, ESA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).

This pre-launch programme will be organised for media to see the telescope in preparation for launch.

Programme: 

View detailed programme here (PDF)  

The James Webb Space Telescope will be in the assembly building and visible from a visitor gallery. Access to the clean room will not be possible.

Please note that the programme can be modified at short notice because of operational constraints.

Media registration:

Please express interest by 27 September 2021 via https://blogs.esa.int/forms/esa-media-briefing-form

Please note:

• all costs and expenses for this pre-launch media trip will have to be borne by the participating media;
• because the number of places is limited, ESA cannot guarantee all interested media will be able to join this press programme;
• accreditation formalities to access Europe’s Spaceport will have to be completed after confirmation of participation.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, following precautions need to be kept in mind when travelling in French Guiana:

• COVID-19 restrictions:
  • Curfew from 19:00 to 05:00 every day and all day on Sunday
  • Shops are open
  • Restaurants are closed except for takeaway
  • Sanitary pass application is postponed until 16 November
• Travelling rules:
  • From Paris to Cayenne:
    • for vaccinated people, PCR test within 72 hours or antigen test within  48 hours
    • for non-vaccinated people, PCR test within 72 hours or antigen test within 48 hours and 7 days quarantine in French Guiana
  • From Cayenne to Paris:
    • for vaccinated people, no test and no quarantine
    • for non-vaccinated people, PCR or antigen test plus 10 days quarantine in France

For further information:

ESA Newsroom and Media Relations Office – Ninja Menning

Email: media@esa.int

Tel: +31 71 565 6409

Artist's renderings of NIRSpec and MIRI: