UK-backed planet hunting mission moves forward

Mon, 17 Jan 2022 03:21:00 GMT
ESA United Kingdom

European scientists are one step closer to discovering distant Earth-like worlds after ESA announced...

European scientists are one step closer to discovering distant Earth-like worlds after ESA announced that it is forging ahead with the development of its next-generation exoplanet mission.

The UK is playing an important role in this process, with the University of Warwick leading a European consortium that will ensure the mission is able to fulfil its scientific goals.

Plato's innovative scientific instruments will enable it to gaze at thousands of the galaxy's nearest and brightest stars, searching for minuscule, regular dips in brightness as their planets pass in front of them.

"Caroline Harper, Head of Space Science at the UK Space Agency, said:"The critical milestone review has confirmed the maturity of the design and the robustness of the build schedule for both the science instruments and the spacecraft they will fly on, so it is now full speed ahead for Plato.

"The mission offers the exciting potential for a rocky planet with life signatures to be detected using innovative sensors, electronics and software developed in the UK, on a mission with UK science leadership."

The image sensors for the mission are produced by British manufacturing firm Teledyne e2v, and a team of UK scientists coordinated by the University of Cambridge's Institute of Astronomy is developing the exoplanet analysis data processing system.

"Don Pollacco, Professor of Astronomy at the University of Warwick, which leads the Plato Science Management Consortium, said:"The Plato project involves the serial production of complicated components and is challenging to both academia and industry.

"Filippo Marliani, ESA Project Manager for Plato, said:"Plato continues a European tradition of excellence in all areas of space science.

The mission will serve the science community to gather invaluable knowledge of planets in our galaxy, beyond our own Solar System.

"The successful completion of the critical milestone and the formal start of the second phase of this extraordinary mission constitute an important boost of positive energy for the next challenges to be tackled with our industrial, institutional and academic partners."

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