New Imagery Explorer to Look at the Galaxy in UV

A new NASA mission to examine the breadth of spaceborne ultraviolet light will take the form of a Medium-Class Explorer and space telescope under the UltraViolet EXplorer or UVEX program.

The endeavor is targeted to launch in 2030 as the next astrophysics-focused mission from the agency. The finished UVEX is expected to pivot quickly between sudden sources of ultraviolet light in the universe, capturing the explosions that follow bursts of gravitational waves that follow the merging of neutron stars.

“NASA’s UVEX will help us better understand the nature of both nearby and distant galaxies, as well as follow up on dynamic events in our changing universe,” said Nicola Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “This mission will bring key capabilities in near-and far-ultraviolet light to our fleet of space telescopes, delivering a wealth of survey data that will open new avenues in exploring the secrets of the cosmos.”

“With the innovative new UVEX mission joining our portfolio, we will gain an important legacy archive of data that will be of lasting value to the science community,” said Mark Clampin, director of the Astrophysics Division at NASA Headquarters. “This new telescope will contribute to our understanding of the universe across multiple wavelengths and address one of the major priorities in Astrophysics today: studying fleeting changes in the cosmos.”

FMI: www.nasa.gov