The European Space Agency’s Ariel Exoplanet Mission Advances to Construction Phase
The European Space Agency (ESA) has officially entered the construction phase of its Ariel Exoplanet Mission, a significant step forward in its quest to uncover the chemical compositions of exoplanetary atmospheres. After successfully navigating the preliminary design phase, Ariel’s development has transitioned from theoretical planning to tangible construction.
Today, ESA’s Ariel project achieved a noteworthy milestone as the ESA review board granted approval for the preliminary spacecraft design. This achievement comes after an extensive 19-month-long phase known as phase B2, during which the spacecraft’s design was meticulously refined. Special attention was paid to interface requirements, particularly those involving the payload elements. Additionally, Ariel’s development plans were solidified during this critical phase.
Ariel’s scientific payload, which includes a cryogenic telescope housing two crucial instruments – the Ariel medium-resolution InfraRed Spectrometer (AIRS) and the Fine Guidance System (FGS) – successfully cleared a significant review in May 2023. With this milestone reached, Airbus Defence and Space Toulouse, Ariel’s prime contractor, is now poised to commence the manufacturing of the first spacecraft prototypes, namely the structural model (SM) and the avionics verification model (AVM).
The successful completion of the Preliminary Design Review signifies a major leap forward for Ariel, ESA’s forthcoming exoplanet mission. This achievement signals the commencement of the construction phase and brings us closer to the momentous task of exploring the atmospheres of distant planets. Jean-Christophe Salvignol, Ariel’s project manager, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We are delighted that we have achieved a significant milestone in spacecraft design, marking a solid foundation to proceed with detailed development across all subsystems and with the manufacturing phase. The prospect of witnessing the hardware is truly exciting! I’m especially enthusiastic about the manufacturing and assembly of the structural model, as its structure will closely resemble the final product set to take flight.”
The structural model of Ariel will undergo rigorous environmental testing to ensure that its subsystems can withstand the conditions expected during launch and while in space. Simultaneously, the avionics verification model will serve as a demonstration of the functionality and performance of the spacecraft’s electronic and software systems, encompassing control, communication, navigation, and data processing systems. Once both models demonstrate their proficiency, the mission will proceed to the Critical Design Review, leading to the construction of the actual flight model, destined for space.
Spectroscopy, a technique involving the separation of starlight into its constituent colors using a prism, plays a pivotal role in Ariel’s mission. As exoplanets transit across their stars from our perspective, some of the starlight passes through their atmospheres. This process results in the absorption of specific wavelengths of light by particles such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, and methane in the atmosphere. By analyzing the wavelengths at which this absorption occurs, scientists can discern the composition of these distant atmospheres. This technique is akin to that employed by the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope. Ariel’s mission will focus on studying the atmospheres of up to 1000 exoplanets using infrared light, as molecules’ signatures are particularly pronounced in this range.
Theresa Lueftinger, Ariel’s project scientist, shared her excitement, remarking, “It is fantastic to see the important spacecraft design review successful. Having passed this milestone, we can continue the implementation of this exciting mission that will revolutionize our knowledge of how planets around other stars form and evolve and what their atmospheres are made of. Particularly exciting is the ‘coming into existence’ of the hardware: we will soon be able to see and test the Ariel structural model, which is always a very special moment for any scientist working on a space mission.”
During its mission, Ariel will observe a diverse array of up to 1000 exoplanets, ranging from rocky planets similar to Earth to massive gas giants like Jupiter. Utilizing its suite of scientific instruments, Ariel will detect telltale signs of familiar ingredients in these planets’ atmospheres, including water vapor, carbon dioxide, and methane. For select planets, Ariel will even investigate their weather patterns, monitoring clouds and atmospheric variations on both daily and seasonal timescales.
About Ariel
Ariel was chosen as the fourth medium (‘M-class’) mission in ESA’s Cosmic Vision 2015–25 program in March 2018. The mission was officially adopted in November 2020 and is presently in the development phase.
Ariel represents a collaborative effort between ESA and the Ariel Mission Consortium, involving over 50 institutes from 16 European countries. The Consortium is responsible for providing essential payload elements, including the large cryogenic telescope and associated scientific instruments. The NASA and CSA are also partners in the Ariel mission, contributing to the mission’s payload.
Airbus, leading the European industrial consortium, is tasked with constructing the spacecraft. They will supply the service module and oversee the integration and testing of the entire flight spacecraft, including the structural model (SM) and avionics verification model (AVM) development models.
ESA assumes the overarching responsibility for the mission’s development, launch, and operations. Following the launch, operations will be a joint effort between ESA and the Consortium.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Exoplanet Mission
What is the Ariel Exoplanet Mission?
The Ariel Exoplanet Mission is a project led by the European Space Agency (ESA) aimed at studying the atmospheres of exoplanets. It involves sending a spacecraft equipped with advanced instruments to observe and analyze the chemical compositions of these distant planetary atmospheres.
What was the significance of passing the Preliminary Design Review?
Passing the Preliminary Design Review marked a crucial milestone for the Ariel mission. It signified that the spacecraft’s preliminary design had been approved and validated by the ESA review board. This allowed the project to transition from the planning and design phase to the actual construction phase, bringing it one step closer to exploring exoplanetary atmospheres.
What were the key components of Ariel’s scientific payload?
Ariel’s scientific payload included a cryogenic telescope hosting two vital instruments: the Ariel medium-resolution InfraRed Spectrometer (AIRS) and the Fine Guidance System (FGS). Additionally, it comprised a cryocooler and several electronic boxes. These instruments were essential for capturing and analyzing data from the exoplanetary atmospheres.
How does spectroscopy play a role in Ariel’s mission?
Spectroscopy is a technique used by Ariel to study exoplanetary atmospheres. It involves breaking down received starlight into its different colors using a prism. When exoplanets pass in front of their host stars, some of the starlight passes through their atmospheres. By analyzing which wavelengths of light are absorbed by particles in the atmosphere, such as water vapor or methane, scientists can determine the composition of these distant atmospheres.
What’s the significance of studying up to 1000 exoplanets?
Ariel’s mission aims to observe a wide range of exoplanets, from rocky worlds similar to Earth to gas giants like Jupiter. This diversity in planetary targets allows scientists to gather data on various types of atmospheres, providing valuable insights into the formation and evolution of planets around other stars and the composition of their atmospheres.
Who are the key players in the Ariel mission?
The Ariel mission is a collaborative effort between the ESA, the Ariel Mission Consortium (involving over 50 institutes from 16 European countries), NASA, and CSA. ESA is responsible for mission development, launch, and operations. The Ariel Mission Consortium provides essential payload elements, while Airbus leads the European industrial consortium responsible for building the spacecraft.
What’s next for Ariel after the construction phase?
Following the construction phase, Ariel’s structural model will undergo rigorous environmental testing to ensure it can withstand the conditions of launch and space. The avionics verification model will demonstrate the functionality of electronic and software systems. Once these models prove successful, the mission will proceed to the Critical Design Review, leading to the construction of the actual flight model destined for space.
More about Exoplanet Mission
- ESA’s Ariel Exoplanet Mission
- Preliminary Design Review
- Ariel’s Scientific Payload
- Spectroscopy in Exoplanet Research
- Exoplanet Diversity
- Ariel Mission Consortium
- Airbus’s Role in Ariel
