international partners, europe and canada, but just getting to this launch pad has cost nearly $9 billion more than initially projected, and it's about a decade over due. >> was there ever a moment where you thought, man, i just don't know if this is going to happen. >> there were numerous, existential crises, both technical, and programmatic through the life of the mission, but i guess we're all eternal optimists, and we persevered and made it happen. >> kristen fisher, cnn, washington. >> and be sure to tune in, the all new cnn film, the hunt for planet b premieres tonight at 9:00 p.m. only on cnn. all right, the top ten cnn heroes of 2021 have been announced, and one of whom will be named the cnn hero of the year by you, our viewers. this week, we reintroduced you to cnn hero dr. ayla stanford. >> african-americans were dying at a rate greater than any other