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The proposed FKSI (the Fourier-Kelvin Space Interferometer) is a pair of infrared telescopes attached together in space that could determine the chemical makeup of alien planet atmospheres. Such a mission could see planets inside the so-called habitable zone of stars, the region where the temperature is right for liquid water to exist.
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FKSI deployment sequence. After FKSI is launched to Earth's L2 - a gravitationally stable point on the side of the Earth away from the Sun - it will deploy its systems sequentially in preparation for its science mission. | While observing a distant star, FKSI will typically be slowly rotated about its boresight allowing the 'shape' of the object to be sampled. | If the star has a companion - a planet or dim star - rotation about the boresight will yield a particular signature that may be analyzed by scientists here on Earth. |