French Guiana - Kourou: Nasa to launch newest space telescope with an ESA Ariane 5 rocket on Christmas Day

Dangerously high winds will keep Nasa’s newest space telescope on the ground for at least an extra day, with the launch now targeted for Saturday – Christmas Day – at the earliest. Nasa announced the latest delay Tuesday. Upper-level high wind could force a rocket off-course or even damage or destroy it.

The James Webb space telescope will soar from French Guiana on South America’s northeastern coast, aboard a European Ariane rocket. Launch managers will meet again Wednesday to assess the weather.

The $10bn infrared observatory is considered the successor to the Hubble space telescope, in orbit since 1990.

Read more at: Nasa to launch newest space telescope on Christmas Day | Nasa | The Guardian