About Us

We are a group of students, amateur astronomers, and space enthusiasts whose mission is to Save the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) by educating the public about the importance of JWST and rallying people to take action by contacting Congress. SaveJWST does not have any connection with, endorsement by, funding, or authorization from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the James Webb Space Telescope, Northrop Grumman, Ball Aerospace, the Space Telescope Science Institute, the American Astronomical Society, the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, or any organization, business, or agency connected with or endorsed by NASA. The individuals who help run this blog, the accompanying Facebook fan page, the website www.savejwst.com, or any other webpage or web service used by saveJWST participants are strictly volunteers.
Raphael Perrino
"We're all made of star stuff," Dr. Carl Sagan once said. When I first heard this as a 6-year-old boy while watching Cosmos with my father, I couldn't fully comprehend the magnitude of those words, and, yet, Sagan ignited within me a brilliant spark of enthusiasm for space science. 

Today, I work as a Technical Communicator but my passion exists outside of the workplace, where, for the last two years, I have been involved in science advocacy work. My first science advocacy effort involved saving Arlington's David M. Brown Planetariuma local gem of science communication that had inspired and educated tens of thousands of children and adults for generationsfrom being closed. As one of the founding members of Friends of the Planetarium, I led the online operations for this non-profit, and after 15 months, our endeavor was successful  

On July 7, 2011, several days after the successful completion of the SavePlanetarium campaign, I learned about the fate of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). A profound source of inspiration for the next generation of scientists, engineers, and mathematicians as well as a multitude of untold discoveries, thousands of jobs, and U.S. leadership in astrophysics were on the line. In response, I launched saveJWST via Facebook. Within 24 hours, the page had over 1,200 supporters, and within 3 days, I was thrilled to find that 2 people had produced an online petition to save the JWST: Kyle Sullivan and Blair Schumacher. We joined efforts that day, and the rest is history!


Kyle Sullivan
I am a student of Biology and Anthropology, with plans one day to conduct research in the field of Astrobiology. I feel that it is the most important field of pure research in existence today and am happy to pledge my life to this study. I am also a supporter of science in general and, specifically, the James Webb Space Telescope. 

I became aware of the issues surrounding funding for the JWST through twitter several months ago. I wanted to make a difference about the fate of American Science in the world and the JWST, a huge deal not just for the United States, but Humanity in general, was the perfect opportunity. Blair Schumacher and myself started an online petition at Change.org and very soon after (read: merely days) made connections with Raphael Perrino and the saveJWST facebook page he created. 

I am not affiliated with any organization, group, or individuals of any kind, including NASA, AURA, Northrop Grumman, or any other government agency or contractor organization connected with the James Webb Space Telescope. I am simply concerned for the fate of my nation and my species.
Chris Felice
I'm a life-long supporter and lover of all things science.  I started out wanting to be an astronomer, but higher math scared me away!  Instead I went to school for chemistry and am now transitioning careers from pharmaceuticals to clean energy.  My goal is to help make clean energy technology more efficient and affordable.  In the process, I hope to become a better scientist and be involved in shaping America's future energy policies.
Despite changing my major years ago, I still have an interest in astronomy and love learning about all the discoveries made around the universe by scientists right here on our tiny planet.  I'm happy to help out saveJWST because I believe all basic research is important, no matter the field, and worry about dwindling public support for science and technology.


Zack Dougherty
Industrial Design student, gigapixel photographer by day and an amateur astronomer/astrophotographer by night. Inspired by the humans who dedicate themselves to the exploration and understanding of the ever-expanding Space they find themselves in. Interested in educating the world of the wonders of Space, and hope to one day use information, discoveries, and photos provided by James Webb Space Telescope to further inspire and awe Humankind.



Nick Howes
Whilst my day job as a software test analyst, and young family consume most of my time, I also find a way to squeeze in being the equipment consultant for Astronomy Now magazine where I write their monthly solar section and regularly review and test CCD cameras and telescopes, as well as writing about interesting historical locations around the world. I have also written for and contributed to Amateur Astronomy, Practical Astronomer and a multitude of other technology and photography magazines from T3 to research papers my imaging work having appeared in National Geographic, Discovery Channel, BBC's Stargazing Live/Sky At Night/News, ITN News along with multiple national and international newspapers. 

I was the team leader for the World Record image of the Moon taken in 2009, and live in Wiltshire, where I am on the committee of Wiltshire Astronomical Society, and act as a consultant for the GEO Observatory in Andalucia Spain. I am currently working on comet recovery and detection programs with Faulkes telescope, and recently co-authored an AP Journal paper on Comet 103P, whilst working with the Italian CARA comet research group. Recently I has been working with ESO on imaging massive star clusters, and was nominated and placed in the top 10 in the 2010 Shorty Awards in the science category.


Jon Sanders
I am a space enthusiast. I came by the petition when Kyle contacted me. Before that I had no clue about JWST. Since then I have joined up with this grassroots campaign known as saveJWST. I hope to see Hubble's successor fly! Not only for the sake of jobs and science but for the sake of education in America. If we allow science to fall any further, we are in trouble. We need to start dreaming again. And JWST is one heck of a place to start.