Space Telescope’s ‘Golden Eye’ Opens, Last Major Hurdle

This artist’s conception of the James Webb Space Telescope in space shows all its major elements fully deployed. Adriana Manrique Gutierrez/NASA GSFC/CIL

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.—NASA’s new space telescope opened its huge, gold-plated, flower-shaped mirror Saturday, the final step in the observatory’s dramatic unfurling.

The last portion of the 21-foot (6.5-meter) mirror swung into place at flight controllers’ command, completing the unfolding of the James Webb Space Telescope.