NASA's new Pandora mission, set to launch in fall 2025, will focus on in-depth studies of at least 20 exoplanets, aiming to analyze their atmospheric compositions, particularly for the presence of hazes, clouds, and water.
Pandora, a small satellite equipped with a 17.7-inch Cassegrain telescope, will utilize a unique strategy of prolonged observation, allowing for deeper study of exoplanet atmospheres. This approach addresses a limitation identified in 2018, where variations in light from a host star can interfere with the signal of light passing through an exoplanet's atmosphere, potentially masking the presence of water.
Pandora's near-infrared detector, a spare developed for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), will simultaneously capture data on a host star's brightness and the near-infrared light from the star and its transiting planet. This simultaneous data collection will enable scientists to disentangle signals from stars and their planets, providing more accurate insights into exoplanet atmospheres.