Space

The James Webb Space Telescope blasted off from French Guinea at 7:20 a.m. ET on Saturday, Dec. 25. The NASA mission was decades in the making and should reveal the earliest galaxies in the universe.

As they count down the hours to the highly anticipated launch of NASA's powerful, $10 billion James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers hope for the best while fearing the worst.

Although the moon will brighten up the sky and make it harder to see the Geminids this year, astronomers say from about 2 a.m. to sunrise, no matter your time zone, will be prime viewing time.

Shatner, 90, became the oldest person to fly into space, according to Blue Origin. The company, owned by billionaire Jeff Bezos, launched its first human spaceflight in July.

If permitted by federal regulators, it will lift off from a beach-side facility at the southern tip of Texas. But residents and researchers have criticized the permitting process, saying the company has flouted rules at the expense of the environment and the community.

The Amazon founder became the second billionaire this month to reach the edge of space — following Richard Branson, who rocketed there aboard a vessel made by his company Virgin Galactic.

The founder of Amazon, who stepped down as CEO this month, lifted off early Tuesday with three crewmates on the maiden flight of Blue Origin's New Shepard launch vehicle.

Van Horn residents talk about space tourism and their hopes for the future of the tiny town located near the launch site for Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos' spaceport.

Vanessa Wyche, a 30-year NASA veteran, directs an organization whose current missions include sending astronauts to the International Space Station and returning humans to the Moon.

Bruce McCandless III calls the image of his father's historic walk in space "terrifying and beautiful at the same time."