'We have found no evidence at this time that warrants changing the name of the James Webb Space Telescope,' says NASA administrator Bill Nelson. The space agency tells NPR it has investigated the matter and decided to keep the telescope's name as is, ahead of the long-awaited launch in December. NASA does not plan to rename its new $10 billion technological marvel, the James Webb Space Telescope, despite concerns about it being named after former NASA administrator James Webb, who went along with government discrimination against gay and lesbian employees in the 1950s and 1960s. But some astronomers say discrimination against gay and lesbian government employees during his tenure should preclude him from having a telescope named in his honor. Kennedy to lead the space agency during the '60s.
NASA's new telescope bears the name of James Webb (center), an influential figure who was appointed by President John F.
