Proving that size does n’t always weigh , NASA’sASTERIA(Arcsecond Space Telescope Enabling Research in Astrophysics ) mission has broken the record for the smallest ever satellite to detect a planet outside of our Solar System . Although exoplanet55 Cancri ewas already known to astronomer , its identification by the so - calledCubeSatspells a magnanimous winnings for these compact spacecraft .
“ We went after a hard target with a small telescope that was not even optimized to make scientific discipline detections – and we got it , even if just scarcely , ” Mary Knapp , the ASTERIA task scientist at MIT ’s Haystack Observatory and lead author of thestudy , presently to be published in the Astronomical Journal , said in astatement . “ I imagine this composition validates the concept that motivated the ASTERIA foreign mission : that little spacecraft can contribute something to astrophysics and uranology . ”
launch from the International Space Station 9ISS ) in November 2017 , ASTERIA was originally destined for a 90 - day quad demonstration of technology that could be used on future missions . However , during one of its three mission extensionsbefore contact was lost in December 2019 , the CubeSat ’s technologically advanced fine pointing control ( its ability to remain steady whilst center on an object for a foresighted metre ) was put to the test on exoplanet 55 Cancri e.
The satellite set its lens system on the prey and searched the host star for dips in brightness that could suggest a run planet . A steady spacecraft is crucial for these observations , as a wobble from the official document itself could falsely record a free fall in the information . In this case , ASTERIA ’s hunky-dory pointing control was proficient enough to allow a borderline detecting of the satellite that on its own could not convert scientists of its existence , but when compared to former observations 55 Cancri e ’s front could be confirm .
“ Detecting this exoplanet is exciting , because it shows how these new technologies come together in a real applications programme , ” Vanessa Bailey , the primary research worker for ASTERIA ’s exoplanet science team at NASA ’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory ( JPL),said . “ The fact that ASTERIA lasted more than 20 months beyond its prime mission , giving us valuable supererogatory time to do science , spotlight the enceinte engineering that was done at JPL and MIT . ”
large satellite - hunting space vehicle , like NASA’sTransiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite(TESS ) , need not venerate retirement , however , as it ’s unacceptable to package all of their capabilities into these minuscule models . rather , these CubeSats could wager an significant supporting role to avail supervise stars for tenacious full stop of time , and watch subsequent planet transit .
“ This deputation has mostly been about ascertain , ” Akshata Krishnamurthy , co - investigator and skill data psychoanalysis Centennial State - lead for ASTERIA , say . “ We ’ve discovered so many thing that next lowly satellite will be able to do best because we demonstrated the technology and capabilities first . I recall we ’ve opened door . ”
