The James Webb Telescope and beyond

The 6.5 meter diameter deployable James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is on track for launch in late 2018, to observe at λ = 0.6 to 28 μm with cameras, spectrometers, and coronagraphs. All instruments have been tested together at their operating temperature with a telescope simulator, all the telescope mirrors are in storage at Goddard waiting for their carbon fiber support structures, and the cryogenic vacuum test chamber at Johnson Spaceflight Center is being finalized for tests of the combined telescope and instrument package. I will report on engineering progress as well as on likely scientific investigations, ranging from the first stars, galaxies, and black holes, to current star and planet formation, and the study of planets and small bodies in our own and in other solar systems. I will conclude with thoughts about what it will take to search for life on exoplanets, using even larger telescopes or possibly starshields, that might have to be assembled in space.