James Webb telescope comes after years of American persistence

NASA released the first batch of pictures from the James Webb Space Telescope on Tuesday. These glimpses into space are utterly breathtaking and showcase the beauty of the universe. As a grand finale during its livestream, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration released a picture of the Carina Nebula that was by far the most visually stunning picture in the collection.

Thanks to the combined work of NASA, the European Space Agency, the Canadian Space Agency, and Northrop Grumman, pictures of our universe are being distributed across the world for everyone to see. When a telescope is able to see galaxies that are 13.5 billion years old, those responsible for such a technological accomplishment deserve all the recognition possible.

Let’s not take these developments for granted. Former President John F. Kennedy asked the U.S. Congress to support the rapid expansion of the nation’s space program in 1961. Before Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon in 1969, people mostly did not support Kennedy’s space race. A 1967 Harris poll reported that 54% of respondents did not believe the $4 billion price tag for a moon landing was worth it.

NASA is now the pride and joy of the people. A 2018 Pew Research Center poll found that 72% of adults believe it is “essential” for the United States to lead the world in space exploration. In another question, 80% said the International Space Station was a good investment for the nation. Despite widespread public support for America’s space programs, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) proposed cutting funding for a new lunar lander in April 2022.

Established under former President Donald Trump, the Space Force is another department that was controversial in its early years. CNN polling in 2018 found that 55% of Americans opposed the creation of a Space Force. But when President Joe Biden decided to keep the Space Force rather than abolish it, a majority supported his decision.

A highly effective partnership with the private sector is driving the modern space race. In a first since 2011, NASA and SpaceX launched a crewed mission to the ISS from U.S. soil on May 30, 2020. SpaceX launched 46 Starlink satellites before proceeding to land the first stage of the rocket at sea on Sunday. Private sector innovation is creating cleaner and more efficient products that allow us to reach the stars more frequently than before.

If you’re not sold on space missions, just look at how the rest of the world is being affected by it. Starlink keeps Ukraine connected to broadband services while they fight against Russia’s forces. Satellites allow the U.S. and its European allies to monitor changes in the atmosphere, making them a crucial part of the fight against climate change.

As you look at the latest pictures from the James Webb Space Telescope, remember that success was never guaranteed. Men and women have died in freak accidents during launches in pursuit of seeing what is now plastered all across social media.

Humanity is continuing to reach new heights and see new corners of the universe, thanks to the ingenuity of NASA and our private sector. Our universe is an endless frontier, and efforts to explore it should continue to unite the nation regardless of our various backgrounds.

James Sweet is a summer 2022 Washington Examiner fellow.