NASA Explores New Ultraviolet Telescope Concept for 2031 Launch
The proposed MAUVE mission aims to address key questions about exoplanets, cosmic phenomena, and the origins of the universe with advanced UV observation capabilities.
- NASA researchers have proposed the Mission to Analyze the UltraViolet universE (MAUVE), a concept for a UV space telescope expected to launch by 2031 if approved.
- MAUVE would extend UV observation capabilities, focusing on far- and extreme-ultraviolet wavelengths currently underexplored due to atmospheric interference and limited existing facilities.
- The mission aims to investigate critical questions, including the habitability of exoplanetary systems, the mechanisms behind explosive cosmic events, and the origins of diffuse extragalactic emissions.
- The telescope would allocate 70% of its observing time to General Observer proposals, enabling the broader scientific community to explore diverse astronomical phenomena.
- MAUVE builds on the legacy of past UV observatories while addressing gaps in current instrumentation, complementing future missions like the Habitable Worlds Observatory planned for the 2040s.
Universe Today 