Lockheed Martin to Mature Technology and Architecture Studies for NASA Flagship Telescope

Are we alone in the universe? We’re one step closer to finding out. Lockheed Martin was recently selected by NASA to continue advancing next-gen technologies and architecture studies for the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) – the first telescope designed specifically to look for Earth-like planets.

What is the Habitable Worlds Observatory?

The HWO is a large aperture space telescope specifically engineered to identify Earth-like planets. The HWO will focus on a central star, similar to the Sun, and examine the planets around it in the habitable “goldilocks zone,” where temperatures, atmospheres and conditions are just right for potential life.

How will the HWO examine Earth-like planets?

The HWO will create a “dark hole” to study the planet. This means the HWO will block out light from the bright star that the planet is orbiting, while gathering the small amount of light from the observed planet. With the light from the central star blocked out, the HWO will be able to examine the planet’s characteristics like its atmosphere.

Caption: The HWO requires stability more than 100 times better than the James Webb Space Telescope, which is currently the most stable space telescope ever built. Lockheed Martin’s Disturbance Free Payload tech will provide next-gen stability and eliminate jitter. 

How is Lockheed Martin involved?

• Under a study called Technology Maturation for Astrophysics Space Telescopes, or TechMAST, our scientists and engineers are developing technologies to improve the HWO’s stability. The HWO requires stability more than 100 times better than the James Webb Space Telescope, which is currently the most stable space telescope ever built. Ultra-stability is essential to block the bright light from a distant star and see the faint light of a nearby planet. 
• In the upcoming work, Lockheed Martin will also perform studies and analysis to inform trade studies of the architecture for the observatory, predicting performance to understand the impacts of different design parameters.
• Our team has also steadily contributed to different phases of research and development for the HWO, securing four different contracts for TechMAST maturation since 2018.

“We have the unique opportunity to be involved early in the development of the Habitable Worlds Observatory and continue research on this powerful telescope,” said Alison Nordt, director of Space Science and Instrumentation at Lockheed Martin. “This instrument will feature a number of novel technologies that all need to work together seamlessly. It’s an exciting and challenging effort that we’re proud to be part of.”