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Sciences and Exploration Directorate
Under Study

Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO)

The Habitable Worlds Observatory is a large infrared/optical/ultraviolet space telescope recommended by the National Academies’ Pathways to Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 2020s. Habitable Worlds Observatory would be the first telescope designed specifically to search for signs of life on planets orbiting other stars.

Launch Date
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Class
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Website
Key Staffs
  • Science Community Engagement Co-lead
  • Pre-Formulation Scientist
  • Solar System Theme Lead
  • NGMSA Hardware Engineer
  • Project Scientist

The Habitable Worlds Observatory is a large infrared/optical/ultraviolet space telescope recommended by the National Academies’ Pathways to Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 2020s. Habitable Worlds Observatory would be the first telescope designed specifically to search for signs of life on planets orbiting other stars.

Related Publications

2026. "Ultraviolet technology to prepare for the Habitable Worlds Observatory.", Journal of Astronomical Telescopes, Instruments, and Systems, 12 (01): [10.1117/1.jatis.12.1.015007] [Journal Article/Letter]

2026. "Toward a near-ultraviolet coronagraph instrument for the Habitable Worlds Observatory.", Journal of Astronomical Telescopes, Instruments, and Systems, 12 (01): [10.1117/1.jatis.12.1.015005] [Journal Article/Letter]

2025. "Ultraviolet science and instrumentation: on the way to the NASA Habitable Worlds Observatory and beyond—workshop highlights.", Journal of Astronomical Telescopes, Instruments, and Systems, 11 (04): [10.1117/1.jatis.11.4.042232] [Journal Article/Letter]

2025. "Next-generation microshutter arrays for HWO UV multi-object spectroscopy built on the success of the JWST technology.", Journal of Astronomical Telescopes, Instruments, and Systems, 11 (04): [10.1117/1.jatis.11.4.042229] [Journal Article/Letter]

2025. "Next-generation microshutter arrays for Habitable World Observatory.", UV/Optical/IR Space Telescopes and Instruments: Innovative Technologies and Concepts XII, 46 [10.1117/12.3065875] [Proceedings]