Maybe there are similar satellites to the JWST already in orbit.
The KH-11 Kennen satellites (The first one was launched in 1976) looked amazing similar to the Hubble telescope launched in 1990 - although to be fair there are very few telescope designs, typically a large tube with a few mirrors, and one or more image sensors. At least nine KH-11 satellites were launched (one failed to orbit), before the Hubble telescope, and eight more KH-11's after the HST was launched.
Kind of makes you wonder if the American NRO (National Reconnaissance Office) have not already launched a few IR satellites similar to the JWST with a slightly shorter focal length pointing at earth.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
