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The James Webb Telescope is set to become Hubble’s successor when it launches in 2014, it will be one of the most advanced telescopes to ever launch into space – a true wonder of modern engineering.

A new video has been released which will take viewers behind the James Webb Telescope’s mirrors to investigate the “actuators”, just one of the vital components that will help Webb focus on some of the earliest objects in the universe.

The video is part of an ongoing series about the Webb telescope called “Behind the Webb” which aims to give an insight into the telescope’s construction process and explore some of the components in more detail. It was produced at the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) in Baltimore, Md. and takes viewers behind the scenes with scientists and engineers who are creating the Webb telescope’s components.

The Webb telescope will study every phase in the history of our Universe, ranging from the first luminous glows after the big bang, to the formation of solar systems capable of supporting life on planets like Earth, to the evolution of our own solar system.

The UK's involvement in the James Webb Space Telescope is funded by the UK Space Agency.

The STFC UK Astronomy Technology Centre is leading the MIRI European Consortium of more than 20 institutes. The team also includes the STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Astrium Limited, the University of Leicester and the University of Cardiff.

University College London's Mullard Space Science Laboratory is supplying NIRSpec's on board calibration system and ground calibration equipment for the same instrument.

For more information, visit the ESA website.

For teacher resources related to choosing a telescope for your school, visit the eLibrary.