SPACE.com -- Future Missions to Search for Earth-like Planets


	Future Missions to Search for Earth-like Planets posted: 30 June 2005 07:53 am

Kepler mission

The Kepler mission has been proposed as an element in NASA's Discovery Program. Its goal would be to survey relatively nearby stars to detect and characterize hundreds of terrestrial and larger planets -- if they exist -- in or near the habitable zone.

The satellite's telescope would have a 0.95-meter (37-inch) aperture. It would orbit the Sun and study some 100,000 stars for four years.

Kepler would study the size, orbit and composition of any Earth-like planets it found, and would also study the properties of stars that harbor planetary systems. The mission could get approval in December of this year, or possibly January 2001. No launch date has been projected. [See previous article about NASA's Discovery Mission approval process]

Uplink Your Views

Will we find another Earth? How long will it take? Post your opinion

	New Galapagos Expedition Offers Lindblad Expeditions Explore the Galapagos and save up to 25% off select departure dates www.Expeditions.com

	BP There’s energy security in energy diversity.

	One-stop destination for the lowest domestic airfares Search all airlines, including Southwest now!

	HP ProLiant Servers The HP portfolio of servers-leading technology that respects the bottom line. Powerful ProLiant technology at a price that's worth a second look.