U of A Pandora satellite launch to boost Tucson’s space research legacy | Local News

TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) – Pandora, a satellite developed by the University of Arizona, is set for launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The launch window opens at 6:19 a.m. Arizona time on Sunday, Jan. 11, with a livestream available from SpaceX.

Pandora will study at least 20 exoplanets, analyzing their atmospheres for hazes, clouds and water, according to a news release. It’s equipped with an 18-inch mirror telescope to measure light spectra and brightness with precision.

The mission, part of NASA’s Astrophysics Pioneers program, involves early-career scientists and engineers. After launch, Pandora will begin a one-year mission, with data publicly accessible.

Pandora will complement data from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, aiming to enhance understanding of exoplanet atmospheres.

The mission will refine techniques to study exoplanets and their host stars, focusing on separating the star’s contribution from that of the planet.