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The next-generation James Webb telescope has had a rough time coming into existence, but NASA was able to celebrate a big step forward this week when engineers joined the two halves of the observatory.

The joining took place at a Northrop san jose asian escorts Grumman facility in Redondo Beach, California. Engineers used a crane to put the telescope together with the other major component, a combined spacecraft and sunshield. Together, they will be part of a mission to explore and image the cosmos, taking over where the Hubble Space Telescope leaves off.

NASA shared several views of the process on Wednesday. The telescope's shiny mirrors really stand out. The two halves are physically connected and engineers are now working on all the fiddly bits, like making electrical connections.