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By NASA
What does it take to gaze through time to our universe’s very first stars and galaxies?
NASA answers this question in its new documentary, “Cosmic Dawn: The Untold Story of the James Webb Space Telescope.” The agency’s original documentary, which chronicles the story of the most powerful telescope ever deployed in space, was released Wednesday, June 11.
Cosmic Dawn offers an unprecedented glimpse into the delicate assembly, rigorous testing, and triumphant launch of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. The documentary showcases the complexity involved in creating a telescope capable of peering billions of years into the past.
Cosmic Dawn is now available for streaming on NASA’s YouTube, NASA+, and select local theaters. The trailer is available on NASA+ and YouTube.
Relive the pitfalls and the triumphs of the world’s most powerful space telescope—from developing the idea of an impossible machine to watching with bated breath as it unfolded, hurtling through space a million miles away from Earth. Watch the Documentary on YouTube The film features never-before-seen footage captured by the Webb film crew, offering intimate access to the challenges and triumphs faced by the team at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland — the birthplace of Webb.
“At NASA, we’re thrilled to share the untold story of our James Webb Space Telescope in our new film ‘Cosmic Dawn,’ celebrating not just the discoveries, but the extraordinary people who made it all happen, for the benefit of humanity,” said Rebecca Sirmons, head of NASA+ at the agency’s headquarters in Washington.
From its vantage point more than a million miles from Earth and a massive sunshield to block the light of our star, Webb’s First Deep Field the deepest and sharpest infrared images of the universe that the world had seen.
Webb’s images have dazzled people around the globe, capturing the very faint light of the first stars and galaxies that formed more than 13.5 billion years ago. These are baby pictures from an ancient past when the first objects were turning on and emitting light after the Big Bang. Webb has also given us new insights into black holes, planets both inside and outside of our own solar system, and many other cosmic phenomena.
Webb was a mission that was going to be spectacular whether that was good or bad — if it failed or was successful. It was always going to make history
Sophia roberts
NASA Video Producer
NASA’s biggest and most powerful space telescope was also its most technically complicated to build. It was harder still to deploy, with more than 300 critical components that had to deploy perfectly. The risks were high in this complicated dance of engineering, but the rewards were so much higher.
“Webb was a mission that was going to be spectacular whether that was good or bad — if it failed or was successful,” said video producer Sophia Roberts, who chronicled the five years preceding Webb’s launch. “It was always going to make history.”
NASA scientists like Nobel Laureate Dr. John Mather conceived Webb to look farther and deeper into origins of our universe using cutting edge infrared technology and massive mirrors to collect incredibly rich information about our universe, from the light of the first galaxies to detailed images of planets in our own solar system.
To achieve this goal, NASA and its partners faced unprecedented hurdles.
Webb’s development introduced questions that no one had asked before. How do you fit a telescope with the footprint of a tennis court into a rocket? How do you clean 18 sensitive mirrors when a single scratch could render them inoperable? How do you maintain critical testing while hurricane stormwater pours through ceilings?
A technician inspects the James Webb Space Telescope primary mirrors at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.NASA/Sophia Roberts Cosmic Dawn captures 25 years of formidable design constraints, high-stake assessments, devastating natural disasters, a global pandemic and determined individuals who would let none of that get in the way of getting this monumental observatory to its rightful place in the cosmos.
“There was nothing easy about Webb at all,” said Webb project manager Bill Ochs. “I don’t care what aspect of the mission you looked at.”
Viewers will experience a one-of-a-kind journey as NASA and its partners tackle these dilemmas — and more — through ingenuity, teamwork, and unbreakable determination.
“The inspiration of trying to discover something — to build something that’s never been built before, to discover something that’s never been known before — it keeps us going,” Mather said. “We are pleased and privileged in our position here at NASA to be able to carry out this [purpose] on behalf of the country and the world.”
Bound by NASA’s 66-year commitment to document and share its work with the public, Cosmic Dawn details every step toward Webb’s launch and science results.
Learn more at nasa.gov/cosmicdawn By Laine Havens,
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.
Media Contact:
Katie Konans,
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.
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Last Updated Jun 11, 2025 Related Terms
James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Goddard Space Flight Center NASA+ View the full article
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By NASA
At COSI’s Big Science Celebration on Sunday, May 4, 2025, a young visitor uses one of NASA Glenn Research Center’s virtual reality headsets to immerse herself in a virtual environment. Credit: NASA/Lily Hammel NASA’s Glenn Research Center joined the Center for Science and Industry (COSI) Big Science Celebration on the museum’s front lawn in Columbus, Ohio, on May 4. This event centered on science activities by STEM professionals, researchers, and experts from Central Ohio — and despite chilly, damp weather, it drew more than 20,000 visitors.
At COSI’s Big Science Celebration on Sunday, May 4, 2025, a young visitor steps out of the rain and into NASA Glenn Research Center’s booth to check out the Graphics and Visualization Lab’s augmented reality fluid flow table that allows users to virtually explore a model of the International Space Station. Credit: NASA/Lily Hammel NASA’s 10-by-80-foot tent housed a variety of information booths and hands-on demonstrations to introduce guests to the vital research being performed at the Cleveland center. Popular attractions included a mini wind tunnel and multiple augmented and virtual reality demonstrations. Visitors also engaged through tangram puzzles and a cosmic selfie station. NASA Glenn’s astronaut mascot made several appearances to the delight of young and old alike.
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By Space Force
The Department of the Air Force has opened a public comment period to detail recent updates to the background and methodology for Support of Military Families 2025 scorecards for spouse employment and public education surrounding DAF installations.
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By Space Force
On May 23, the Department of the Air Forcereleased updated guidance for implementation of Executive Order 14183, ‘Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness, aligning with updated Department of Defense policy and addressing medical standards, accession, retention, and administrative processes for transgender Airmen and Guardians.
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By NASA
In collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture, Amazon Web Services, and Colorado State University, NASA turned to students for AI-driven solutions. NASA On March 28, 80 college students filed into Colorado State University’s (CSU) Nancy Richardson Design Center to receive pizza and a challenge: design an intelligent system capable of traversing rugged terrain to provide aid in emergency scenarios.
They had 24 hours to complete this mission.
Co-led by CSU, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service, and NASA, the Spring 2025 CSU Hackathon forged a symbiotic relationship between federal agencies looking for novel AI solutions and innovative students hungry for a challenge.
“One of the goals of the Career Center is to create opportunities for relationship building,” said Mika Dalton, CSU’s career center employer relations coordinator. “Events like these really help students connect with industry and identify different career pathways to expand their understanding of where their education could lead them after graduation.”
In teams of four, students chose between two technical prompts grounded in real-world data. The USDA Forest Service posed the “Uncharted Challenge,” asking teams to develop an autonomous mapping system for uncharted National Forest System roads using high-resolution satellite imagery. In the “Rover Challenge” posed by NASA, students were asked to design an algorithm that could autonomously guide a rover across rough terrain to reach an injured firefighter.
Over the next 24 hours, students analyzed lidar and satellite imagery, built algorithms, and tested their models in SageMaker, a development environment hosted by Amazon Web Services (AWS). As they collaborated on their solutions, students also helped NASA evaluate SageMaker’s potential for agency adoption.
The students’ work delivered tangible value to both agencies, demonstrating novel approaches to real operational challenges like wildfire response, terrain mapping, and emergency search and rescue.
The students did an incredible job showing how AI can solve tough problems, from navigating the Moon to handling emergencies, all in line with NASA’s mission.
Martin Garcia
NASA’s artificial intelligence and innovation lead
For the USDA, accurate and efficient trail maps can support fire crews and forest managers; for NASA, more advanced terrain navigation systems enhance efforts in AI-assisted robotics, including lunar rovers tasked with reaching astronauts or delivering supplies in critical missions. “The students’ consideration for energy efficient lunar vehicle traversal would benefit the agency’s mission to implement extended scientific and engineering missions on the lunar surface,” said NASA data scientist Andrew Wilder.
Winning teams received recognition for Best Overall Project, Ingenuity, Simplicity, and Tenacity. Prizes included letters of recommendation from agency leaders and future opportunities to present their work to NASA and Forest Service staff.
“I had a great team, and we were able to work through several setbacks with clear communication. I also got to meet professionals from NASA, USDA, Forest Service, and AWS. These were great opportunities and so I learned a lot of networking and interviewing from them,” said one participating CSU student.
Ultimately, 98% of post-event student survey respondents indicated a strong enthusiasm to share this event with other students. Along with the endorsement, students shared that it was a great way to learn skills, network, and try something new. Many respondents, while strongly recommending the event, emphasized that the event was very challenging, intense, and a place to apply classroom knowledge.
The hackathon demonstrated what’s possible when creativity, passion, and partnership align. For NASA’s Chief AI Officer (CAIO), it offered a clear proof of concept: a low-cost, high-impact model for advancing AI adoption by connecting real-world challenges with emerging talent. Beyond the technical outputs, NASA gained testable solutions, valuable insights into rapid prototyping, and deeper relationships with federal, academic, and industry partners. The hackathon also provided a repeatable framework for future events with other institutions.
By bringing together mission teams, partners, and student innovators—and fueling them with pizza and friendly competition—NASA is accelerating innovation in bold, creative ways.
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