It would be 'the most complex robotic mission ever performed by humanity.'
Spitzer is currently located two astronomical units away. As such, it would be an incredibly complex mission, surpassing the five space shuttle missions that serviced the Hubble Space Telescope between 1993 and 2009.
Given the massive cost of space missions, it's understandable that NASA aims to squeeze as much life as possible from its satellites. In fact, the space agency is alsothat would extend the life of Hubble, which has been active for more than 30 years. The new early-stage study proposes a "Spitzer Resurrector" mission to launch in 2026. Rhea Space Activity will develop technology that will allow the mission's spacecraft to "restart Spitzer, confirm that it has been restored to its original performance capabilities, and ... remain nearby to act as a high-rate data relay to Earth, thus restoring Spitzer to its full efficiency," the company explained in its statement.Surprisingly, Rhea has yet to launch a mission to space.
It will also form a partnership with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Blue Sun Enterprises, and Lockheed Martin for the Spitzer mission.mission launched in December 2021 also uses infrared instruments to peer into deep space. However, Spitzer made its observations in different wavelengths, and its location in space also provides a unique vantage point.
While it's by no means a given that a startup will be able to pull off "the most complex robotic mission" ever, the new proposal potentially opens the door to a new era of deep space servicing missions that would allow scientific instruments to live on much longer than previously thought possible.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Top Space Force General Confused About Why Space Force ExistsNobody is entirely sure why the Space Force, the youngest branch of the military, exists. Even the service's top general isn't sure.
Read more »
Apollo 11 moonwalker Buzz Aldrin honored as Air Force one-star, Space Force GuardianIn addition to being promoted to a one-star in the Air Force, Brig. Gen. Aldrin was made an Honorary Space Force Guardian.
Read more »
Victus Nox: What to Know About Space Force's Rapid-Launch Satellite MissionDuring Victus Nox, Millennium Space has 60 hours to transport a satellite to Firefly Aerospace, which in turn must launch the satellite in under 24 hours.
Read more »
US Space Force to attempt to replace a damaged satellite in less than 24 hoursA new Space Force mission called Victus Nox will test the US military branch's capability to replace a damaged satellite in a matter of days.
Read more »
Not Even Space Force Can Properly Explain What It DoesThe chief of space operations is not a fan of the Space Force's convoluted mission statement, and is hoping to change it.
Read more »
This company has a ridiculous plan to resurrect NASA’s Spitzer telescopeA private company has an ambitious plan to resurrect NASA's Spitzer telescope, which could allow it to resume observations this decade.
Read more »