MANTIS (space telescope)

MANTIS (Monitoring Activity from Nearby Stars with UV Imaging and Spectroscopy)
Mission typeSpace telescope
OperatorNASA
Start of mission
Launch date2026 (planned)
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric

MANTIS (Monitoring Activity from Nearby Stars with UV Imaging and Spectroscopy) is a planned NASA space telescope. MANTIS will study the emission of ultraviolet (UV) radiation of stars, especially in the extreme UV range, to judge the habitability of planets orbiting them. The telescope will be built by the University of Colorado Boulder as a cubesat at a cost of $8.5 million.[1]

Ultraviolet radiation and stellar flares can impact the habitability of planets. For many stars, MANTIS will perform the first measurements of extreme UV emissions.[2]

  1. ^ "James Webb Space Telescope gets satellite sidekick to aid search for habitable planets". 16 June 2023.
  2. ^ "New keen-sighted satellite will view distant stars, assist Webb telescope". 8 June 2023.