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
Name Agency Type Proposed launch date Status Proposed location Ref(s) TOLIMAN NASA visible 2027 under construction Low Earth orbit Xuntian CNSA ultraviolet, visible, infrared 2027 under construction Low Earth orbit PLATO ESA visible 2027 under construction Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange point ULTRASATISAultraviolet2027Geosynchronous orbitCompton Spectrometer and ImagerNASAgamma ray2027Low Earth orbitARIELESAvisible, infrared2031Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange pointLazuli Space TelescopeSchmidt Sciencesvisible, near-infrared2028 Proposed, funded Elliptical orbitSpektr-UV (WSO-UV) Roscosmos ultraviolet 2031 funded Geosynchronous orbit UVEXNASAultraviolet2030Highly elliptical orbitLiteBIRD JAXA millimeter radio 2032 Approved for development Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange point AXIS (Advanced X-Ray Imaging Satellite) NASA X-Ray 2032 early planning Low Earth orbit PRIMA (PRobe far-Infrared Mission for Astrophysics)NASAfar-infrared2032Approved for developmentSun-Earth L2 Lagrange pointTaiji CNSA/CAS gravitational waves 2033 phase 1 of 3-phase development completed Heliocentric orbit Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) ESA gravitational waves 2035 Approved for development Solar Earth-trailing orbit (approx. 1 AU) Advanced Telescope for High Energy AstrophysicsESAx-ray2037Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange point Habitable Worlds Observatory NASA Ultraviolet, Visible, Infrared 2041 early planning 'Phase 1' Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange point X-Ray Great Observatory NASA X-Ray 2047 early planning 'Phase 1' possibly Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange point Far-Infrared Great Observatory NASA Far-Infrared 2051 early planning 'Phase 1' possibly Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange point AstroSat-2 ISRO Near Ultraviolet, Far Ultraviolet, Visible TBD – Low Earth orbit ExoWorlds MissionISROTBDIndian spectroscopic and imaging space telescope (INSIST)ISROTBDGalileo Solar Space TelescopeINPEVisible and ultravioletTBDAdmission process at AEBLow Earth orbit or Geostationary orbit
Merged, cancelled, or superseded space observatories
Name Agency Type Proposed launch date Status Proposed location Ref(s) X-Ray Evolving Universe Spectroscopy Mission (XEUS) ESA X-ray Merged into IXO – Constellation-X NASA X-ray – International X-ray Observatory (IXO) NASA & ESA & JAXA X-ray No funding 2011; rebooted as ATHENA – Exoplanetary Circumstellar Environments and Disk Explorer (EXCEDE) NASA ? 2016 – Sun-synchronous Earth orbit, 2000 km SIM Lite Astrometric Observatory NASA ? 2015 No funding 2010 – Darwin Mission ESA ? – – Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange point Terrestrial Planet Finder NASA ? TBA No funding 2011 – Dark Universe Observatory NASA ? Superseded by Roman/WFIRST Earth orbit (600 km) Joint Dark Energy Mission NASA & DOE ? – Astromag Free-Flyer (Particles) NASA ? 1 January 2005 – Earth orbit (500 km) VSOP-2 (Astro-G) (Radio) JAXA ? 2012 Cancelled 2011 – SAFIR NASA far infrared Superseded by Origins Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange point ref?
Additional examples and non-space telescopes For launch in the 2030s, NASA is evaluating four possible designs: the Origins Space Telescope, Lynx X-ray Observatory, Habitable Exoplanets Observatory (HabEx), and Large UV Optical Infrared Surveyor (LUVOIR).
Balloon-borne telescopes have been in use since the 1950s. A 20–30 meter balloon telescope has been suggested. The balloon would be transparent on one side, and have a circular reflecting mirror on the other side. There are two main designs using this principle. Large Balloon Reflector (LBR) (sub-orbital version) Space-based Large Balloon Reflector (LBR) TeraHertz Space Telescope (TST)
Additional examples
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 Small Explorer (GEMS) Habitable Exoplanets Observatory (HabEx), a large UV to NIR focused design, 4 meter mirror LOFT - Large Observatory For X-ray Timing Large Ultraviolet Optical Infrared Surveyor Large Interferometer For Exoplanets Nautilus Deep Space Observatory Near-Earth Object Surveillance Mission (formerly Near-Earth Object Camera (NEOcam)) PEGASE Planetary Dynamics Explorer 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 Whipple, proposed transit telescope for KBO and Oort objects ZEBRA, Zodiacal dust, Extragalactic Background and Reionization Apparatus A small infrared observatory sent out to 10 AU by NASA Membrane Space Telescope: A concept of huge reflecting telescopes in space, where the primary mirror would be composed of very thin and lightweight membrane, that would be kept in the required accurate shape by thermal radiative pressure projected from behind. ~15nm RMS precision was achieved in prototype testing.
See also Lists of telescopes Lists of spacecraft
References
External links Video (86:49) – "Search for Life in the Universe" – NASA (July 14, 2014).