From that point, Webb moves through its commissioning phases leading up to the release of it's first images. In the ~2 weeks after launch, Webb unfolds from its compact launch configuration into its operational configuration which is nearly the size of a tennis court. In order to fit into the ESA Ariane 5 launch vehicle, Webb was designed to fold up and then unfold (deploy) while in flight to L2. Webb is the largest telescope ever launched into space. WhereIsWebb works in concert with the 'Deployment Explorer' page where you can explore Webb's entire deployment and commissioning aequence. The page constantly updates as Webb travels, deploys, cools to operating temperature and moves through its commissioning phases ultimately leading to the release of its first images. One can also explore Webb's location in 3d in a 3d solar system ( and compare it to Hubble and other spacecraft in 3d). WhereIsWebb also tracks Webb's current deployment/commissioning state and status of that state with updates as well as the overall schedule and sequence of major deployment and commissioning phases. It will continue to track temperatures through the commissioning.

Part of the way through its journey to L2 WhereIsWebb will start tracking Webb's cooldown to operational temperatures and the dramatic contrasts in temperatures from its hot side to its cool side. Post launch and until Webb reaches it's station orbitting L2, WhereIsWebb tracks Webb's journey to L2 tracking its speed and distance from Earth and L2. WhereIsWebb tracks Webb's flight to L2 in the weeks immediately after launch, its cooldown to operating temperature, major deployment/commissioning schedule phases, its current deployment/commissioning state and status of that state, as well as providing users with a 3d model of where Webb is located in a 3d solar sytem.

The Deployment Explorer opens to the MOST RECENTLY COMPLETED deployment step, all deployment steps to the 'left' (on the top thumbnail nav) are COMPLETED, ll deployment steps to the 'right' (on the top thumbnail nav) are FUTURE.

On the you can Deployment Explorer page you can explore all past and upcoming deployments on the way to L2. At this point the top of the page will show a set of bellweather current daily temperature obsevations followed by plots of those temperatures. Once Webb has reached L2, this page will transition to tracking Webb's commissioning steps including the vital process of cooling to operating temperatures and mirror alignment, followed by instrument commissioning. Below those numbers, is a timeline switchable between DAYS/DISTANCE since launch, a thumbnail of Webb's MOST RECENTLY COMPLETED deployment step marking its place in TIME or DISTANCE on its 30 day journey to L2 followed by details of the current deployment step shown with a larger image, info and links. While Webb is in flight to L2, it's journey is tracked numerically at the top of the page showing its progress in distance, speed, percentage of trip complete to L2. This page tracks Webb on its journey from Earth to entry into its L2 halo orbit through all steps of its commissioning and finally to the delivery of its first science images.

Flight status tracker 1609 from chicago