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Originally posted by Beestie
Sounds good but why is one million miles away better than an earth orbit? The chance that it will never require service is, imho, quite low - especially with a mirror that has to unfold after it arrives at the final point.
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The Webb needs to shield its infrared detectors from the glare of the earth, that why it needs the distance.
And it is designed not to be serviced, but this means it is not expected to last as long as the Hubble.
We just have to hope it gets there and works, no chance to go up and fix it.
jd, really good website. BTW, it mentions the James Webb but calls it by its old name, the Next Generation Space Telescope.