NASA launched the Pandora mission early Sunday from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, aiming to maximize the scientific output of the James Webb Space Telescope. The Pandora satellite, one of approximately 40 small payloads, rode into a polar Sun-synchronous orbit aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

The mission is designed to enhance the study of exoplanets, planets orbiting stars outside our solar system, by disentangling stellar and planetary signals. The Webb telescope, launched in 2021 at a cost exceeding $10 billion, possesses the capability to analyze distant planetary systems and identify chemical compounds such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, and methane, which could indicate the potential for life.

Astronomers are eager to leverage the full potential of the Webb telescope, which is positioned a million miles from Earth and equipped with a large, gold-coated mirror that gathers more light than any other space-based telescope. In addition to exoplanet research, Webb is also used to observe the oldest galaxies in the Universe and to study planets, moons, and smaller objects within our own Solar System.

The Pandora mission will focus on separating the light signatures of stars from those of the planets orbiting them. This is crucial because stellar activity, such as starspots and flares, can mimic or mask the signals originating from exoplanet atmospheres. By carefully observing both the star and the planet simultaneously, Pandora will provide a more accurate understanding of exoplanetary atmospheres and their potential habitability.

The satellite's polar Sun-synchronous orbit will allow for consistent observations of target stars, minimizing the impact of Earth's atmosphere and sunlight. Scientists anticipate that the data collected by Pandora will significantly improve the interpretation of Webb telescope observations, bringing researchers closer to identifying potentially habitable worlds.