NASA and SpaceX have completed a readiness review for the launch of a new space telescope scheduled for August 30, according to infohub.kz.
Engineers from NASA, the observatory team, and SpaceX conducted a formal assessment of the spacecraft, launch vehicle, and launch pad at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Following the review, experts confirmed that all systems are ready for the final preparation phase. The launch is set for August 30 on a Falcon Heavy rocket from Launch Complex 39A.
In the coming days, the telescope will be moved to SpaceX's hangar. It has already been placed inside the protective payload fairing of the Falcon Heavy, which will shield it from aerodynamic forces during ascent. After mating with the rocket, the entire stack will be rolled out to the launch pad for final pre-launch procedures.
The new space telescope is designed to capture panoramic images of the cosmos. Scientists plan to use it to study the history and evolution of the universe, investigate the causes of its accelerated expansion, and search for and analyze exoplanets orbiting distant stars.