Pandora Satellite Acquires Signal After Vandenberg Launch

Mission controllers received full acquisition of signal from NASA's Pandora satellite on Jan. 11 after liftoff from Vandenberg; Pandora will observe at least 20 known exoplanets to study their atmospheres using visible and near-infrared measurements.

NASA mission controllers reported full acquisition of signal from the Pandora small satellite on Jan. 11 during the first ground pass after launch from Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base. The spacecraft launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 and carries instruments designed to study exoplanet atmospheres. Pandora will observe at least 20 known planets orbiting other stars to measure atmospheric features such as hazes, clouds, and water. The mission combines visible-light monitoring with near-infrared measurements and involves multiple NASA centers and partner laboratories. Key facts: - Full acquisition of signal occurred on Jan. 11 on the first ground pass after liftoff from SLC-4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base. - Pandora is slated to study at least 20 known exoplanets to determine atmospheric composition, including hazes, clouds, and water. - The mission will monitor host star brightness in visible light while simultaneously collecting near-infrared data from the star and planet, observing each system ten times for 24 hours per observation. - NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center leads the mission; Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory provided project management and engineering; Corning manufactured the telescope; Blue Canyon Technologies provided the spacecraft bus; the University of Arizona hosts the mission operations center. - The launch was awarded under NASA's VADR contract and managed by the agency's Launch Services Program at Kennedy Space Center. Summary: The acquisition of signal confirms initial communications following launch and supports the mission's planned program of multiwavelength exoplanet observations. Undetermined at this time.