Much More Than a Telescope.

The author reflects on the importance of the U.S. National Aeronautics & Space Administration's (NASA's) James Webb Space Telescope, which is the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope, to astronomy and U.S. society. Topics include an overview of the uncertain future of the Webb Telescope project as a result of monetary concerns by the U.S. Senate and the impact of unplanned budget growth for the James Webb Space Telescope.