SpaceX Launches NASA's Pandora: Unlocking Exoplanet Secrets with 36 Satellites

• SpaceX successfully launched NASA's Pandora satellite on January 11th using a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.
• Pandora, a small scientific satellite, will study exoplanet atmospheres using advanced instruments and the transit observation technique.
• It measures visible and infrared light as exoplanets pass across their host stars, allowing scientists to identify atmospheric chemicals.
• Unlike larger telescopes, Pandora focuses on long-term, detailed observation of fewer exoplanets, enhancing data quality.
• The mission provides deeper insights into distant planetary systems, benefiting astronomers, students, and future space exploration.

Why It Matters: SpaceX's Pandora launch marks a new era in exoplanet atmospheric study, complementing larger telescopes.