> Once they're taking images, you'll have access to them. What you say is true but with an asterisk. They grant time limited exclusive access to the data to wh

> Once they're taking images, you'll have access to them. What you say is true but with an asterisk. They grant time limited exclusive access to the data to whatever science team is using the telescope. It's basically an embargo agreement. That way the science team gets the first chance to do their research and publish it. Not all missions fall under this and in some cases you'll see what is going on right away. Eventually all data will become public. I'll just quote their policy[1]: Access to science data from most active missions is often limited to the Program Investigator Team during a period of exclusive access immediately following the observations. The duration of the exclusive access period ranges from a few months to as much as a year, depending upon the mission, the program category, and other factors. Some other data, such as those obtained during facility commissioning, or those that are found to duplicate concurrent observations by a Guaranteed Time Observer (GTO), may also be embargoed for a period of time. Data falling under exclusive access can be discovered via MAST public interfaces, but may not be retrieved except by authorized and authenticated persons. Following the expiration of the applicable exclusive access period, science data become available for public use without restriction. There is a ton more [2] about how to apply to get time on the telescope. Dudes even have a standalone desktop application to help put together the proposal. [1] https://archive.stsci.edu/publishing/data-use [2] https://jwst-docs.stsci.edu/jwst-opportunities-and-policies