The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) launched a project called “Habitable Worlds Observatory” that includes the construction of a telescope capable of searching in space for planets where humans could live.
NASA launched an initiative called “Habitable Worlds Observatory” (HWO) that involves the construction of a telescope that will search for habitable worlds. Although there is at least a decade left for the system to come into operation, the United States space agency began to develop the technologies that will support the project.
Within this framework, they have already selected three companies that will investigate the optical details and characteristics of the devices, allocating a budget of 17.5 million dollars to this end. According to the publication Universe Today, the work itself will begin around September of this year.
NASA HWO: 5 facts about the agency’s plan to search for Earth replacements
-The project foresees the launch of a large space telescope—that is, one that will operate in orbit—whose job will be to photograph Earth-like planets that move around a star, just as our planet does with the Sun. .
-The device will also be used to study atmospheres in search of chemical signatures or signs of extraterrestrial life. HWO will investigate substances such as oxygen and methane and other signals that indicate the presence of life.
-As we pointed out, in this instance the project is taking its first steps. NASA is in the planning stage of working groups, which analyze the scientific objectives of the project.
-The contracts that will begin to be finalized at the end of summer in the northern hemisphere will offer a technological framework for modeling the optical system, with more capabilities than the current ones; for infrastructure development; and the systems necessary to support telescope operations, such as structural support.
In addition to the participation of three companies in the project, NASA will have control throughout the entire process and the result will allow them to plan the development and construction phase of the mission.
Following the aforementioned source, the work does not progress in isolation. Instead, researchers are drawing on experiences and learnings from the James Webb Space Telescope and also the future Nancy Grace Roman Telescope—formerly known as the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope—whose development is underway and is expected to launch around 2027. .
