NASA’s Habitable Worlds Observatory: Searching for Life Beyond Our Solar System
NASA’s HWO (Habitable Worlds Observatory) is set to examine at least 25 potentially habitable worlds in search of biosignatures that could indicate the presence of life. To put these results into context and avoid misinterpretation by non-life processes, key biosignatures such as oxygen, ozone, and methane will be sought. Scientists will draw upon their knowledge of planets and moons within our own Solar System to better understand the conditions on the exoplanets observed by HWO.
NASA’s HWO project is currently in its pre-formulation phase, with two teams collaborating on the telescope’s scientific objectives and technical requirements. The START (Science, Technology, Architecture Review Team) focuses on the telescope’s scientific goals, while TAG (Technical Assessment Group) concentrates on technical needs. Once a project office is set up at NASA Headquarters later this year, HWO will transition to a “pre-phase A” status.
The development of the necessary technologies for constructing and launching HWO will take several years. However, in the future, the observatory could potentially focus its efforts on a star system similar to our Solar System and uncover the initial signs of life on another planet.
