Work

Habitable Worlds Observatory’s concept and technology maturation: initial feasibility and trade space exploration

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) is the first telescope ever designed to search for life and will be a powerhouse of discovery across topics in astrophysics. The observatory was the top recommendation of the Astro2020 Decadal Survey for large missions, and a new HWO Technology Maturation Project Office was formed in August 2024 to mature the architecture, science, and technology. In this paper, we review the overall approach taken to mature the mission concept. We show progress on architecture development, integrated modeling, science cases, and technology roadmaps consistent with preformulation studies. We discuss plans for instrument studies, international engagement, and science engagement, including a Community Science and Instrument Team. Finally, we describe the plan forward to the Mission Concept Review.

Source: Journal of Astronomical Telescopes Instruments and Systems

DOI: 10.1117/1.jatis.12.4.041031

Authors: Lee D. Feinberg, Breann N. Sitarski, Michael W. McElwain, Giada N. Arney, Caleb Baker, Matthew R. Bolcar, Marie Levine, Alice Liu, Bertrand Mennesson, Aki Roberge, Jeffrey Scott Smith, Feng Zhao, John Ziemer

Institutions: Goddard Space Flight Center, Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Language: English

Topic: Astronomy and Astrophysical Research

Subfield: Instrumentation

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Ames Research Center, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Marshall Space Flight Center, Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA Headquarters

OpenAlex ID: W7171921780

FWCI: 81.4

Cites: 1

Cited by: 31

Related to: 10