MOONS, which was built by a team lead from Scotland, has started its work at the Very Large Telescope in Chile.
Burnham said "there is no way that we can see its demise, and it won't happen under my Government".
The US space agency's telescope is starting a multi-year mission to create a new map of the universe and learn more about dark energy and dark matter.
The weather in space has the potential to impact our lives here on Earth in a fundamental way.
Some parts of the globe had a chance to see the rare event when the Sun, Earth and Moon line up in the night sky.
In Chile's Atacama Desert, the biggest telescope ever built is taking shape – and it could radically change our view of the Universe.
A blood red moon may be visible in the early hours of Friday during a partial lunar eclipse.
Skygazers may see a partial lunar eclipse early on Friday, as the Moon enters Earth's shadow.
How to see the 'Blood Moon' lunar eclipse
