NASA's Upcoming Space Telescope Looks Into the Universe's Past

Have you ever wished you could see pictures of the farthest corners of the universe? That could become a reality in a few years.

NASA announced this week that it has completed the final review stage of its James Webb Space Telescope.

"What that means is all of the designs are complete for the Webb and there are no major designs left to do," said Richard Lynch, NASA spacecraft bus manager for the Webb telescope, in a statement.

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The new telescope, which is set to launch in 2018, will surpass the capabilities of its predecessor, the Hubble telescope, which went into orbit in 1990.

NASA collaborated with the European Space Agency and Canadian Space Agency to build the telescope. The international team believes that by examining longer wavelengths the Webb telescope will be able to see some of the first stars and particles created in the universe.

The Webb Telescope just finished its final test review. Credit:

The new telescope looks into the universe's future as well. New stars and planets form in dust clouds, an environment the Hubble telescope is unable penetrate. Scientists will now be able to see new galaxies taking shape using the Webb's infrared capability.

To see into our universe's unknown past and dusty future, NASA estimates the telescope's total cost will be around $8.8 billion, compared to the Hubble telescope's cost of just $1.5 billion.