The largest ever space telescope is now nearing its completion as technicians installed a crucial and probably the most important part of the US $8.8 billion observatory. 

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Last Wednesday, the installation of a primary segment of the mirror in NASA's James Webb Space Telescope was completed where the space telescope is slated to launch in 2018 to further explore space beyond our solar system.

According to NASA administrator, John Grunsfeld at the agency's Science Mission Directorate in Washington D.C., scientists and engineers are working nonstop to install this remarkably perfect mirrors that will focus light on the hidden parts of the universe, beginning at distant stellar regions that will unravel the biggest mysteries of the universe.

He adds that since all the mirrors are now completed, this is one step closer to gaining spectacular observations, finally answering the biggest questions about the cosmos.

The JWST is also the successor to NASA's historical Hubble Space Telescope that has been in operations since 1990. This new space observatory can reflect more light due to to its larger mirror surface which spans 21.3 feet compared to the Hubble's 7.9 feet set of mirrors. 

The hexagonal mirror segments of the JWST weigh 88 pounds each that are similar to the size of a coffee table, according to NASA. Using a special robotic arm, these 18 mirror sections were fitted into place at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland.

According to JWST project manager Bill Ochs, since the mirror is now complete, a battery of tests will be carried out to test optics and also to make sure that the other parts of the telescope can survive a rocket launch, when it will be installed in lower Earth orbit. 

Hubble's most famous images are captured using visible light but JWST will use optimized views via longer infrared wavelengths. Since infrared can penetrate through dust clouds, the JWST can pierce through greater distances in the universe to study stellar formations, galaxies and planets as well. JWST will also search for extraterrestrial life on nearby exoplanets. 

The primary mirror segments were built by Ball Aerospace that is based in Colorado where the mirror installation is carried out by the Harris Corp.