Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
NASA, in collaboration with George Mason University, is preparing to launch the Landolt NASA Space Mission, a $19.5 million initiative to place an artificial “star” in orbit by 2029. This project aims to refine telescope calibrations and improve measurements of stellar brightness to address fundamental astrophysical challenges.
The artificial star, named after astronomer Arlo Landolt, will emit photons at a known rate, enabling precise calibration of telescopes. The mission is expected to improve accuracy in measuring stellar brightness and enhance understanding of celestial properties critical for space exploration.
The satellite, small enough to fit in a breadbox, will feature eight lasers designed to calibrate ground-based telescopes. Orbiting at 22,236 miles above Earth, it will remain stationary over the United States during its first year, appearing as a star to telescopes for observational comparisons.
The mission is a collaborative endeavor involving NASA, George Mason University, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and nine other institutions. It represents a significant infrastructure project to enhance the accuracy of astronomical research tools.
The mission focuses on achieving precise flux calibration, addressing challenges in accurately measuring properties like stellar temperatures, brightness, and photon emissions. This is crucial for understanding stellar evolution, exoplanet habitability, and refining dark energy parameters.
George Mason University faculty and students are deeply involved in the mission, with the university serving as the mission control base. This hands-on experience offers students opportunities to engage in cutting-edge space research and technology development.
The calibrated data from the artificial star will be used to enhance the study of stars, habitable zones around exoplanets, and the dynamics of the universe’s expansion. Researchers will achieve a photon emission accuracy of up to 0.25%, a significant improvement over current methods.
By improving measurement accuracy, the Landolt Mission lays the groundwork for advancements in astrophysics and space science. It supports NASA’s long-term goals of exploring the universe’s fundamental properties and addressing key questions about the cosmos, such as the nature of dark energy and the possibility of life beyond Earth.