‘NASA’s Pandora’: 20+ planets, one mission to find alien atmospheres
Produced by: Manoj Kumar
Mission Milestone
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
Atmospheric Insights
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
Mixed Signals
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
Telescope Innovation
Featuring a cutting-edge 45 cm all-aluminum telescope, Pandora will analyze visible and near-infrared spectra simultaneously, enhancing its data quality.
Credit: NASA
Extended Observations
Unlike flagship telescopes, Pandora offers uninterrupted 24-hour stares at target stars, providing richer, longer-duration datasets.
Credit: NASA
Collaborative Power
With contributions from NASA Goddard, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and Corning, the mission showcases a network of technical expertise.
Credit: NASA
Science Focus
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
Transit Analysis
During planet transits, Pandora captures atmospheric spectra, deciphering chemical fingerprints that signal the presence of water and other key elements.
Credit: NASA
Yearlong Goal
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