NASA is under tremendous pressure to change the name of the James Webb space telescope. While the next-gen telescope is responsible for marvelous insights into what the universe has to offer, the name is attached to a string of controversies. Read ahead to know more.
Who was James Webb?
The first images from NASA’s next-gen space telescope mesmerized the world with their beauty. Using infrared cameras, the James Webb space telescope provided a glimpse of the universe’s beauty and vastness. However, the name of the telescope strokes controversy.
James Webb, after whom the observatory was named, was a celebrated NASA administrator and was known for heading the Apollo program. Between 1961 and 1968, he worked on a number of significant NASA projects. However, his career was not without its fair share of controversies. During Webb’s tenure as a top NASA official, three Apollo I astronauts lost their lives during a 1967 ground test in Florida.
Additionally, another major accusation to his name is the ‘Lavender Scare’. The period is a black dot in US history when several homosexual people were removed from government positions. During his tenure at NASA, he was in charge of firing a person from his job due to the suspicion of being homosexual by his superiors. According to reports, around 91 people lost their jobs for similar reasons.
More on the matter
However, James Webb’s exact role in the removal of homosexual people from their jobs is unclear. But, a column in Scientific American at the time said that his names appear in Lavender Scare memos.
“The records clearly show that Webb planned and participated in meetings during which he handed over homophobic material. There is no record of him choosing to stand up for the humanity of those being persecuted,” states the column.
Additionally, NASA reports state the name of the telescope was chosen in 2002 by NASA administrator Sean O’Keefe. According to NASA’s official statement, there is “no evidence or proof that justifies renaming of the telescope”.