Habitable Worlds Observatory

Habitable Worlds Observatory
Mission type	Space telescope
Operator	NASA
Website	Official website
Start of mission
Launch date	2040s
	Large Strategic Science Missions; Astrophysics Division ← Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope

The Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) is a large infrared, optical, and ultraviolet space telescope recommended by the National Academies’ Decadal Survey on Astronomy and Astrophysics 2020.^[1] It will be optimized to search for and image Earth-size habitable exoplanets in the habitable zones of their stars, where liquid water can exist, by using a coronagraph to block out the light of their stars, as well as provide broad astrophysics observations.^[2] HWO builds upon studies conducted for two earlier mission concepts called the Large Ultraviolet Optical Infrared Surveyor (LUVOIR) and Habitable Exoplanets Observatory (HabEx).

Mission goals

Artist's concept of one design for the proposed Habitable Worlds Observatory created in May 2024

HWO’s main objective would be to identify and directly image at least 25 potentially habitable worlds. It would then use spectroscopy to search for chemical biosignatures in these planets’ atmospheres, including gases such as oxygen and methane, which could serve as critical evidence for life. HWO would also use its high sensitivity and resolution capabilities to trace the evolution of galaxies and other cosmic structures.^[3]

The main science themes for HWO are:^[2]

Drivers of galaxy growth
Evolution of elements over cosmic time
Solar System in its galactic context
Living worlds

Development

In 2023, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) established a Great Observatory Maturation Program (GOMAP) to unite government, industry, and academia to develop the technologies needed for HWO.^[3] GOMAP aims to draw on lessons from previous NASA missions to streamline development of the HWO concept and decrease budget and schedule risks for the future mission.

The HWO is designed to be launched on a super heavy-lift launch vehicle such as SpaceX's Starship, Blue Origin's New Glenn or the SLS.^[4] The current concept for the HWO includes a 6–8 meter mirror, however its design should allow for a larger mirror if launch vehicle technology allows by the time of its launch in the 2040s.^[4]

References

^ Pathways to Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 2020s. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2023. doi:10.17226/26141. ISBN 978-0-309-46734-6. Archived from the original on 2024-04-19. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
^ ^a ^b "Space Telescope Institute's Hitable Worlds Observatory website". NASA. December 20, 2023. Archived from the original on 2024-04-26. Retrieved 2024-01-23.
^ ^a ^b "HWO "about" page". NASA. January 1, 2024. Archived from the original on 2024-01-06. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
^ ^a ^b Kuhr, Jack (2024-07-10). "Habitable Worlds Observatory and the Future of Space Telescopes in the Era of Super Heavy Lift Launch". payloadspace.com. Archived from the original on 2024-07-11. Retrieved 2024-07-11.

[1] Pathways to Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 2020s. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2023. doi:10.17226/26141. ISBN 978-0-309-46734-6. Archived from the original on 2024-04-19. Retrieved 2024-04-19.

[NASA_2023-2] "Space Telescope Institute's Hitable Worlds Observatory website". NASA. December 20, 2023. Archived from the original on 2024-04-26. Retrieved 2024-01-23.

[NASA_2024-3] "HWO "about" page". NASA. January 1, 2024. Archived from the original on 2024-01-06. Retrieved 2024-01-06.

[Kuhr-4] Kuhr, Jack (2024-07-10). "Habitable Worlds Observatory and the Future of Space Telescopes in the Era of Super Heavy Lift Launch". payloadspace.com. Archived from the original on 2024-07-11. Retrieved 2024-07-11.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]