Scott Acton

Scott Acton, an engineer behind the James Webb Space Telescope, and Mike Menzel, mission systems engineer since 1998, share their remarkable journey. They delve into the intricacies of aligning segmented mirrors with nanoscale precision and the emotional stakes involved in the project's success. The conversation touches on unexpected discoveries of ancient galaxies and water ice around newborn stars, raising profound questions about humanity's place in this vast universe. Ultimately, they reflect on how exploration enriches our existence despite its overwhelming scale.