The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is designed to operate for at least 10 years, and its fuel reserves are expected to last for that duration. However, once the fuel runs out, the telescope will no longer be able to make adjustments to its orbit or maintain its desired position in space. At that point, the JWST will enter a phase commonly referred to as its "end of life" or "retirement."
When the JWST reaches the end of its operational life, it will likely remain in its orbit around the second Lagrange point (L2), which is located approximately 1.5 million kilometers from Earth. This orbit is chosen to provide a stable and unobstructed view of the universe. Unlike some other space telescopes that have been deorbited to burn up in the Earth's atmosphere, it is expected that the JWST will be left in space rather than being intentionally deorbited.
Leaving the JWST in space after its retirement serves a couple of purposes. First, it avoids the risk of debris from the deorbiting process, which could potentially pose a hazard to other satellites or spacecraft. Second, even after its scientific mission is complete, the JWST can still serve as a valuable historic artifact and a benchmark for future space telescopes. It could potentially be used as a reference or comparison instrument for new telescopes, allowing scientists to calibrate and validate their observations.
Additionally, leaving the JWST in space allows for the possibility of future servicing missions. If there are advances in space technology and the capability to reach and repair or refuel the JWST, it could potentially be revitalized and put back into service. This would extend its scientific lifespan and allow for continued exploration of the universe.
Overall, the exact fate of the JWST after its fuel runs out will depend on future decisions made by space agencies and scientific communities, taking into account factors such as the condition of the telescope, technological advancements, and the availability of resources for potential servicing missions.