 The HabEx Space Observatory along with its starshade | |
| Mission type | Space observatory |
|---|---|
| Operator | NASA |
| Website | www |
| Mission duration | 5 to 10 years (proposed) [1] |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Launch mass | 18,550 kilograms (40,900 lb) (maximum) [1] |
| Dry mass | ≈10,160 kg (22,400 lb) |
| Payload mass | ≈6,080 kg (13,400 lb) (telescope + instruments) |
| Power | 6.9 kW (maximum) [1] |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 2035 (proposed) |
| Rocket | Observatory: Space Launch System (SLS) Block 1B [1] Starshade: Falcon Heavy |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Regime | Lagrange point (Sun-Earth L2) |
| Main | |
| Diameter | 4 m (13 ft) |
| Wavelengths | Visible; possibly UV, NIR, IR (91 – 1000 nm) |
| Resolution | R ≥ 60,000; SNR ≥ 5 per resolution element on targets of AB ≥ 20 mag (GALEX FUV) in exposure times of ≤12 h [1] |
| Instruments | |
| VIS camera, UV spectrograph, coronagraph, starshade[1][2] | |
The Habitable Exoplanet Observatory (HabEx) is a space telescope concept that would be optimized to search for and image Earth-size habitable exoplanets in the habitable zones of their stars, where liquid water can exist. HabEx would aim to understand how common terrestrial worlds beyond the Solar System may be and determine the range of their characteristics. It would be an optical, UV and infrared telescope that would also use spectrographs to study planetary atmospheres and eclipse starlight with either an internal coronagraph or an external starshade.[3]
The proposal, first made in 2016, is for a large strategic science missions NASA mission. It would operate at the Lagrange point L2.
In January 2023, a new space telescope concept was proposed called the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO), which draws upon HabEx and the Large Ultraviolet Optical Infrared Surveyor (LUVOIR).[4]
- ^ a b c d e f HabEx Final Report. The Habitable Exoplanet Observatory Study Team. JPL/NASA. 29 August 2019
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ HabEx Instruments Suite. NASA JPL. Accessed on 11 December 2019 This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Sci.Am. 2016was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Clery, Daniel (9 January 2023). "NASA unveils initial plan for multibillion-dollar telescope to find life on alien worlds". Science.org. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
