James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and Ariane 5 rocket, illustration. The JWST is an infrared telescope that is scheduled to be launched in 2021. By using infrared wavelengths, the JWST will be able to see through much of the dust that obscures visible light. It will also study dark matter, thought to form the majority of the matter in the universe. JWST will be launched on board an Ariane 5 rocket from the European Spaceport of Kourou, in French Guiana. It will be launched in a folded position (seen in cutaway at upper right) and will deploy once in space, during the first three weeks of its travel to its final orbit around the Lagrange point 2 (L2). Image published in 2019.