Produced by: Manoj Kumar
Pandora’s spacecraft bus, the “brains” of the mission, is complete, keeping the launch on track for later this year, according to principal investigator Elisa Quintana of NASA.
Credit: NASA
Pandora will study atmospheres of 20+ exoplanets, focusing on hazes, clouds, and water. This data complements findings from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope.
Credit: NASA
The mission tackles challenges in observing starlight affected by stellar surface variations, an issue first identified by MIT scientist Benjamin Rackham.
Credit : NASA
Credit: NASA
Featuring a cutting-edge 45 cm all-aluminum telescope, Pandora will analyze visible and near-infrared spectra simultaneously, enhancing its data quality.
Credit: NASA
Unlike flagship telescopes, Pandora offers uninterrupted 24-hour stares at target stars, providing richer, longer-duration datasets.
Credit: NASA
With contributions from NASA Goddard, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and Corning, the mission showcases a network of technical expertise.
Credit: NASA
The University of Arizona leads Pandora’s exoplanet science team, marking its first mission under the U of A Space Institute’s banner.
Credit: NASA
During planet transits, Pandora captures atmospheric spectra, deciphering chemical fingerprints that signal the presence of water and other key elements.
Credit: NASA
Over 12 months, Pandora will revisit each exoplanet at least 10 times, producing a comprehensive dataset that refines our understanding of alien worlds.
Credit: NASA