List of proposed space observatories

This list contains proposals for space telescopes, space-based (situated in space) astronomical observatories. It is a list of past and present space observatory plans, concepts, and proposals. For observatories in orbit, see list of space telescopes. Unlike that list, this one includes concepts and proposals that are unlikely ever to be launched, as they may have been cancelled or were only proposals.

## Space observatories under development[edit]

Name  | Agency  | Type  | Proposed
launch date  | Status  | Proposed location  | Ref(s)

|
|
|
|
|
|

SVOM | CNSA/CNES | X-Ray | March 2024 | Under construction | Low Earth orbit | [1][2]
TOLIMAN | NASA | visible | 2024 | Proposal | Low Earth orbit | [3]
Xuntian | CNSA | ultraviolet, visible, infrared | 2024 | under construction | Low Earth orbit | [4][5]
PLATO | ESA | visible | 2026 | Under construction | Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange point |
Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope (formerly WFIRST) | NASA | infrared | 2026-2027 | confirmed and named 2020 | Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange point | [6][7]
Spektr-UV (WSO-UV) | Roscosmos | ultraviolet | 2030 | funded | Geosynchronous orbit | [8][9]
LiteBIRD | JAXA | millimeter radio | 2032 | Approved for development | Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange point | [10][11]
Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) | ESA/NASA | gravitational waves | 2037 |  | Solar Earth-trailing orbit (approx. 1 AU) | [12]
Astrosat-2 | ISRO | Near Ultraviolet, Far Ultraviolet, Visible | TBD | – | Low Earth orbit | [13]
Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) | NASA | Ultraviolet, Visible, Infrared | 2041 | early planning 'Phase 1' | Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange point |

[14]

X-Ray Great Observatory (nicknamed Fire) | NASA | X-Ray | 2047 | early planning 'Phase 1' | possibly Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange point |

[14]

Far-Infrared Great Observatory (nicknamed Smoke) | NASA | Far-Infrared | 2051 | early planning 'Phase 1' | possibly Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange point |

[14]

## Merged, cancelled, or superseded space observatories[edit]

Name  | Agency  | Type  | Proposed
launch date  | Status  | Proposed location  | Ref(s)

|
|
|
|
|
|

X-Ray Evolving Universe Spectroscopy Mission (XEUS) | ESA | X-ray | Merged into IXO | – | [15]
Constellation-X | NASA | X-ray | – |
International X-ray Observatory (IXO) | NASA & ESA & JAXA | X-ray | No funding 2011; rebooted as ATHENA | – | [16]
Exoplanetary Circumstellar Environments and Disk Explorer (EXCEDE) | NASA | ? | 2016 | – | Sun-synchronous Earth orbit, 2000 km | [17][18]
SIM Lite Astrometric Observatory | NASA | ? | 2015 | No funding 2010 | – | [19]
Darwin Mission | ESA | ? | – | – | Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange point | [20]
Terrestrial Planet Finder | NASA | ? | TBA | No funding 2011 | – | [21]
Dark Universe Observatory | NASA | ? | Superseded by Roman/WFIRST | Earth orbit (600 km) | [22][23]
Joint Dark Energy Mission | NASA & DOE | ? | – | [24]
Astromag Free-Flyer (Particles) | NASA | ? | 1 January 2005 | – | Earth orbit (500 km) | [25][26]
VSOP-2 (Astro-G) (Radio) | JAXA | ? | 2012 | Cancelled 2011 | – | [27]
SAFIR | NASA | far infrared | Superseded by Origins | Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange point | ref?

## Additional examples and non-space telescopes[edit]

For launch in the 2030s, NASA is evaluating four possible designs: the Origins Space Telescope, Lynx X-ray Surveyor, Habitable Exoplanet Imaging Mission (HabEx), and Large UV Optical Infrared Surveyor (LUVOIR).[28]

Balloon-borne telescopes have been in use since the 1950s. A 20–30 meter balloon telescope has been suggested.[29] The balloon would be transparent on one side, and have a circular reflecting mirror on the other side.[29] There are two main designs using this principle.[29]

* Large Balloon Reflector (LBR) (sub-orbital version)
* Space-based Large Balloon Reflector (LBR)
* TeraHertz Space Telescope (TST)[30]

## Additional examples[edit]

8 meter segmented LUVOIR-B (formerly ATLAST) telescope ATLAST produced several versions for the LUVOIR telescope

* Advanced Telescope for High Energy Astrophysics (ATHENA)
* Big Bang Observer
* Cosmological Advanced Survey Telescope for Optical and UV Research (CASTOR)
* Deci-hertz Interferometer Gravitational wave Observatory (DECIGO)
* EChO
* Fast INfrared Exoplanet Spectroscopy Survey Explorer (FINESSE)
* Gravity and Extreme Magnetism (GEMS)
* Habitable Exoplanet Imaging Mission (HabEx), a large UV to NIR focused design, 4 meter mirror [31]
* LOFT \- Large Observatory For X-ray Timing
* Large Ultraviolet Optical Infrared Surveyor
* Large Interferometer For Exoplanets
* Nautilus Deep Space Observatory[32][33][34]
* Near-Earth Object Surveillance Mission (formerly Near-Earth Object Camera (NEOcam))
* PEGASE
* Planetary Dynamics Explorer[35]
* Space Infrared Telescope for Cosmology and Astrophysics (SPICA)
* Telescope for Habitable Exoplanets and Interstellar/Intergalactic Astronomy (THEIA)
* THESEUS
* Waypoint-1 Space Telescope, visible light, UV and hyper-spectral imaging for astrophysical research and ground observation[36]
* Whipple, proposed transit telescope for KBO and Oort objects
* ZEBRA, Zodiacal dust, Extragalactic Background and Reionization Apparatus [37] A small infrared observatory sent out to 10 AU by NASA[38]

## See also[edit]

* Lists of telescopes
* Lists of spacecraft

## References[edit]

1. ^ "China Space International Cooperation：Future Plans and Prospects" (PDF). CNSA. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
2. ^ "The SVOM mission". CEA/Irfu. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
3. ^ "The TOLIMAN mission: precision astrometry for exoplanetary discovery in the solar neighborhood" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 November 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
4. ^ Jones, Andrew (28 February 2023). "China to expand its space station, international astronaut selection underway". SpaceNews. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
5. ^ "Flagship Chinese Space Telescope to Unravel Cosmic Mysteries". Chinese Academy of Sciences. 7 May 2022. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
6. ^ "NASA Awards Launch Services Contract for Roman Space Telescope". NASA (Press release). 19 July 2022. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
7. ^ Balzer, Ashley (9 November 2021). "NASA's Roman Mission Will Help Empower a New Era of Cosmological Discovery". NASA. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
8. ^ "В Институте астрономии РАН заявили, что обсерваторию "Спектр-УФ" не запустят до 2030 года" [The Institute of Astronomy of the Russian Academy of Sciences said that the Spektr-UV observatory will not be launched until 2030]. TASS (in Russian). 21 December 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
9. ^ Zak, Anatoly (30 December 2022). "Spektr-UF | Russian ultraviolet astronomy's long road to space". RussianSpaceWeb. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
10. ^ "The origin of the Universe will be unveiled by the LiteBIRD cryogenic satellite". Grenoble Alpes University. 3 July 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
11. ^ Concept design of the LiteBIRD satellite for CMB B-mode polarization. Y. Sekimoto; P. Ade; K. Arnold; J. Aumont; J. Austermann, etal. Proceedings Volume 10698, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2018: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter Wave; 106981Y (2018) doi:10.1117/12.2313432 Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 9 August 2018, Austin, Texas, United States.
12. ^ "LISA | Mission Summary". ESA. 8 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
13. ^ "Isro plans to launch India's 2nd space observatory". The Times of India. 19 February 2018.
14. ^ a b c Bruce Dominey (27 January 2023). "After Webb? NASA Is Already Planning New Great Space Observatories". Forbes. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
15. ^ "KEUS – The X-Ray Evolving Universe Spectroscopy Mission". ESA. Retrieved 28 February 2008.
16. ^ "Official NASA IXO Home Page". NASA. Archived from the original on 14 August 2012. Retrieved 28 February 2008.
17. ^ "EXCEDE Home Page". University of Arizona. Archived from the original on 19 February 2012. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
18. ^ "EXCEDE the Search for Planets". Astrobiology Magazine. 17 February 2012. Archived from the original on 2 May 2012. Retrieved 23 February 2012.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
19. ^ "SIM Lite JPL". NASA. Archived from the original on 16 January 2007. Retrieved 19 March 2009.
20. ^ "ESA Science & Technology: Darwin". ESA. Retrieved 28 February 2008.
21. ^ "Planet Quest: Missions – Terrestrial Planet Finder". NASA. Archived from the original on 18 February 2008. Retrieved 3 March 2008.
22. ^ "Dark Universe Observatory". Sonoma State University. Archived from the original on 5 December 2004. Retrieved 29 February 2008.
23. ^ "Dark Universe Observatory – About the Launch Vehicle and Orbit". Sonoma State University. Archived from the original on 5 December 2004. Retrieved 29 February 2008.
24. ^ "Destiny JDEM Mission Public Page". National Optical Astronomy Observatory. Retrieved 28 February 2008.
25. ^ "NASA – NSSD – Spacecraft – Trajectory Details (Astromag FF)". NASA. Retrieved 27 February 2008.
26. ^ "NASA – NSSDC – Spacecraft – Details (Astromag-F)". NASA. Retrieved 27 February 2008.
27. ^ "VSOP-2 project". JAXA. Retrieved 28 February 2008.
28. ^ Scoles, Sarah. "NASA Considers Its Next Flagship Space Telescope". Scientific American. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
29. ^ a b c Hall, Loura (3 May 2016). "Ballooning Expectations: New Approach for Astronomy". Nasa.gov. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
30. ^ Dunn, Marina Madeline; Lesser, David; O'Dougherty, Stephan; Swift, Brandon; Pat, Terrance; Cortez, German; Smith, Steve; Goldsmith, Paul; Walker, Christopher K. (January 2017). "TeraHertz Space Telescope (TST)". AAS. 229: 238.30. Bibcode:2017AAS...22923830D.
31. ^ "Habitable Exoplanet Observatory (HabEx)". www.jpl.nasa.gov. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
32. ^ University of Arizona (2 August 2019). "A new lens for life-searching space telescopes - University of Arizona researchers have designed a new kind of telescope that is a cheaper, lighter and more powerful option than creating telescopes using ever-larger mirrors. With a fleet of the newly designed space telescopes, they aim to scour a thousand potentially earth-like planets for signs of life". EurekAlert!. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
33. ^ Apai, Dániel; Milster, Tom D.; Kim, Dae Wook; Bixel, Alex; Schneider, Glenn; Liang, Ronguang; Arenberg, Jonathan (29 July 2019). "A Thousand Earths: A Very Large Aperture, Ultralight Space Telescope Array for Atmospheric Biosignature Surveys". The Astronomical Journal. 158 (2): 83. arXiv:1906.05079. Bibcode:2019AJ....158...83A. doi:10.3847/1538-3881/ab2631. hdl:10150/634070. S2CID 186206769.
34. ^ Apai, D.; et al. (2018). "Nautilus DeepSpace Observatory: A Giant Segmented Space Telescope Array for a Galactic Biosignature Survey" (PDF). Universities Space Research Association. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
35. ^ "M. Wong, et al. – A Dedicated Space Observatory for Time-domain Solar System Science" (PDF). Lpi.usra.edu. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
36. ^ "Space Telescopes".
37. ^ "NASA Considers Sending a Telescope to Outer Solar System - Universe Today". Universitytoday.com. 19 December 2011. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
38. ^ "ZEBRA". Zebra.caltech.edu. Archived from the original on 23 September 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2017.

## External links[edit]

* Video (86:49) – "Search for Life in the Universe" – NASA (July 14, 2014).

* v
* t
* e

Space observatories

Operating|

* ACE (since 1997)
* Aditya-L1 (since 2023)
* AGILE (since 2007)
* AMS-02 (since 2011)
* ASO-S (since 2022)
* Aoi (since 2018)
* Astrosat (since 2015)
* BRITE constellation (since 2013)
* CALET (since 2015)
* Chandra (AXAF) (since 1999)
* CHASE (since 2021)
* CHEOPS (since 2019)
* DAMPE (since 2015)
* DSCOVR (since 2015)
* Euclid (since 2023)
* Fermi (since 2008)
* Gaia (since 2013)
* GECAM (since 2020)
* Hayabusa2 (since 2021)
* Hibari (since 2021)
* Hinode (Solar-B) (since 2006)
* HiRISE (since 2005)
* Hisaki (SPRINT-A) (since 2013)
* Hubble (since 1990)
* HXMT (Insight) (since 2017)
* IBEX (since 2008)
* INTEGRAL (since 2002)
* IRIS (since 2013)
* ISS-CREAM (since 2017)
* IXPE (since 2021)
* James Webb (since 2022)
* LEIA (since 2022)
* Max Valier Sat (since 2017)
* MAXI (since 2009)
* Mikhailo Lomonosov (since 2016)
* Mini-EUSO (since 2019)
* MinXSS-2 (since 2018)
* NCLE (since 2018)
* NEOSSat (since 2013)
* NICER (since 2017)
* NuSTAR (since 2012)
* Odin (since 2001)
* Queqiao (since 2018)
* SDO (since 2010)
* SOHO (since 1995)
* SOLAR (since 2008)
* Solar Orbiter (since 2020)
* Spektr-RG (since 2019)
* STEREO (since 2006)
* Swift (since 2004)
* TESS (since 2018)
* Wind (since 1994)
* WISE (since 2009)
* XMM-Newton (since 1999)
* XRISM (since 2023)
* XPoSat (since 2024)
* Einstein Probe (since 2024)

Planned|

* ILO-X (2024)
* K-EUSO (2024)
* PETREL (2024)
* SVOM (2024)
* Xuntian (2024)
* SPHEREx (2025)
* Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope (2026)
* PLATO (2026)
* COSI (2027)
* LORD (2027)
* JASMINE (2028)
* NEO Surveyor (2028)
* Solar-C EUVST (2028)
* ARIEL (2029)
* Spektr-UV (2030)
* Spektr-M (2030+)
* LiteBIRD (2032)
* Athena (2035)
* LISA (2037)

Proposed|

* Arcus
* Astro-1 Telescope
* AstroSat-2
* EXCEDE
* Fresnel Imager
* FOCAL
* HabEx
* HWO
* Hypertelescope
* ILO-1
* iWF-MAXI
* JEM-EUSO
* LUCI
* LUVOIR
* Lynx
* Nano-JASMINE
* Nautilus Deep Space Observatory
* New Worlds Mission
* NRO donation to NASA
* ORBIS
* OST
* PhoENiX
* Solar-D
* Space Solar Telescope
* THEIA
* THESEUS

Retired|

* Akari (Astro-F) (2006–2011)
* ALEXIS (1993–2005)
* Alouette 1 (1962–1972)
* Ariel 1 (1962, 1964)
* Ariel 2 (1964)
* Ariel 3 (1967–1969)
* Ariel 4 (1971–1972)
* Ariel 5 (1974–1980)
* Ariel 6 (1979–1982)
* ASTERIA (2017–2019)
* ATM (1973–1974)
* ASCA (Astro-D) (1993–2000)
* Astro-1 (1990)
* BBXRT
* HUT
* Astro-2 (HUT) (1995)
* Astron (1983–1991)
* ANS (1974–1976)
* BeppoSAX (1996–2003)
* CHIPSat (2003–2008)
* Compton (CGRO) (1991–2000)
* CoRoT (2006–2013)
* Cos-B (1975–1982)
* COBE (1989–1993)
* CXBN-2 (2017–2019)
* DXS (1993)
* EPOCh (2008)
* EPOXI (2010)
* Explorer 11 (1961)
* EXOSAT (1983–1986)
* EUVE (1992–2001)
* FUSE (1999–2007)
* Kvant-1 (1987–2001)
* GALEX (2003–2013)
* Gamma (1990–1992)
* Ginga (Astro-C) (1987–1991)
* Granat (1989–1998)
* Hakucho (CORSA-b) (1979–1985)
* HALCA (MUSES-B) (1997–2005)
* HEAO-1 (1977–1979)
* Herschel (2009–2013)
* Hinotori (Astro-A) (1981–1991)
* HEAO-2 (Einstein Obs.) (1978–1982)
* HEAO-3 (1979–1981)
* HETE-2 (2000–2008)
* Hipparcos (1989–1993)
* IUE (1978–1996)
* IRAS (1983)
* IRTS (1995–1996)
* ISO (1996–1998)
* IXAE (1996–2004)
* Kepler (2009–2018)
* Kristall (1990–2001)
* LEGRI (1997–2002)
* LISA Pathfinder (2015–2017)
* MinXSS (2015–2017)
* MOST (2003–2019)
* MSX (1996–1997)
* OAO-2 (1968–1973)
* OAO-3 (Copernicus) (1972–1981)
* Orbiting Solar Observatory
* OSO 1
* OSO B
* OSO 3
* OSO 4
* OSO 5
* OSO 6
* OSO 7
* OSO 8
* Orion 1 (1971)
* Orion 2 (1973)
* PAMELA (2006–2016)
* PicSat (2018)
* Planck (2009–2013)
* RELIKT-1 (1983–1984)
* R/HESSI (2002–2018)
* ROSAT (1990–1999)
* RXTE (1995–2012)
* SAMPEX (1992–2004)
* SAS-B (1972–1973)
* SAS-C (1975–1979)
* Solwind (1979–1985)
* Spektr-R (2011–2019)
* Spitzer (2003–2020)
* Suzaku (Astro-EII) (2005–2015)
* Taiyo (SRATS) (1975–1980)
* Tenma (Astro-B) (1983–1985)
* Uhuru (1970–1973)
* Vanguard 3 (1959)
* WMAP (2001–2010)
* Yokoh (Solar-A) (1991–2001)

Hibernating
(Mission completed)|

* SWAS (1998–2005)
* TRACE (1998–2010)

Lost/Failed|

* OAO-1 (1966)
* OAO-B (1970)
* CORSA (1976)
* CXBN (2012-2013)
* OSO C (1965)
* ABRIXAS (1999)
* HETE-1 (1996)
* WIRE (1999)
* Astro-E (2000)
* Tsubame (2014–2015)
* Hitomi (Astro-H) (2016)

Cancelled|

* AOSO
* Astro-G
* Constellation-X
* Darwin
* Destiny
* EChO
* Eddington
* FAME
* FINESSE
* GEMS
* HOP
* IXO
* JDEM
* LOFT
* OSO J
* OSO K
* Sentinel
* SIM & SIMlite
* SNAP
* SPICA
* SPOrt
* TAUVEX
* TPF
* XEUS
* XIPE

Related|

* Great Observatories program
* List of space telescopes
* List of proposed space observatories
* X-ray telescope
* List of planetariums

* Category:Space telescopes

* v
* t
* e

Future spaceflights

Crewed|

| 2024|

* Axiom-3 (January)
* Boeing Starliner CFT (April)
* Shenzhou 18 (H1 2024)
* Shenzhou 19 (H2 2024)
* Polaris Dawn (April)
* Soyuz MS-25 (March)
* Soyuz MS-26 (September)
* SpaceX Crew-8

|

2025|

* Artemis 2 (September)
* Boeing Starliner-1 (Q1)
* Gaganyaan 3
* Shenzhou 20
* Vast-1

2026+|

* Artemis 3 (2026)
* Artemis 4 (2028)
* Artemis 5 (2029)
* dearMoon project

Uncrewed|

| 2024|

* Biomass
* Bion-M No.2 (August)
* Blue Ghost M1
* Chang'e 6 (May)
* Cygnus NG-20 (January)
* DISHA
* EarthCARE (May)
* ESCAPADE (August)
* Europa Clipper (October)
* GOES-U (April)
* GOSAT-GW
* GSAT-20 (Q2)
* INSAT-3DS (January)
* Hakuto-R M2
* LOXSAT1 (July)
* IM-1 / DOGE-1 (January)
* IM-2 / Lunar Trailblazer
* IM-3
* IHP-1
* Hera / Milani / Juventas (October)
* MOM 2
* NISAR (March)
* PACE (February)
* PPE / HALO (November)
* PROBA-3 (September)
* Venus Orbiter Mission
* SNC Demo-1 (April)
* SVOM (March)
* SpaceX CRS-30 (March)
* SpainSat NG I (September)
* SPARCS
* Türksat 6A (June)
* UN/Dream Chaser
* VIPER (November)
* WSF-M 1
* Xuntian
* Gaganyaan 1
* Gaganyaan 2

|

2025|

* ALTIUS / FLEX
* DESTINY+
* IMAP / SWFO-L1 (February)
* Garatéa-L
* HTV-X1
* MetOp-SG Series A
* MetOp-SG Series B
* MULA
* SMILE (May)
* Space Rider
* SPHEREx / PUNCH (April)
* Tianwen-2 (May)
* TRACERS (April)

2026|

* Chang'e 7 / Rashid 2
* IHP-2
* ispace M3
* LUPEX
* MMX
* Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope (2026–2027)
* PLATO
* ULTRASAT
* VOICE

2027|

* FORUM
* Luna 26
* Superbird-9

2028+|

* Chang'e 8 (2028)
* Dragonfly (2028)
* JASMINE (2028)
* Luna 27 (2028)
* MBR Explorer (2028)
* MSR (2028)
* NEO Surveyor (2028)
* Rosalind Franklin rover (2028)
* SAOCOM-2A (2028)
* Solar-C EUVST (2028)
* Tianwen-3 (2028)
* ARIEL / Comet Interceptor (2029)
* DAVINCI (2029)
* Harmony (2029)
* Tianwen-4 (2029)
* Venera-D (2029–2031)
* VERITAS (2029)
* Luna 28 (2030)
* SAOCOM-2B (2030)
* Spektr-UV (2030)
* Spektr-M (2030+)
* EnVision (2031)
* LiteBIRD (2032)
* Athena (2035)
* LISA (2037)

TBA|

* Europa Lander
* Janus
* Nano-JASMINE
* PETREL
* TEREX-1 (mid 2020s)
* Uranus Orbiter and Probe

Recently
launched|

* SpaceX CRS-29 (10 November)
* Progress MS-25 (1 December)
* EIRSAT-1, Hayasat-1 (1 December)
* X-37B OTV-7 (29 December)
* XPoSat (1 January)
* Peregrine Mission One (8 January)
* Einstein Probe (9 January)

* List of proposed missions to the Moon
* List of proposed space observatories

Portals:

* Astronomy
* Stars
* Spaceflight
* Outer space
* Solar System

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