James Webb Space Telescope encounters sensor problems in space

The James Webb Space Telescope's Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) is experiencing less sensor "throughput" at the longest wavelengths, but NASA officials say there is no risk to the instrument and all other observation modes remain unaffected. The agency is investigating the cause of the issue and developing a plan to address it. MIRI has a camera and a spectrograph to detect light from distant objects and can also image faint objects in our solar system. The $10 billion telescope has been operating well since its launch on Dec. 25, 2021, and could operate for at least 20 years in space.