The idea of ​​launching microscopic satellites to find aliens

Scientists believe that using micro satellites is more efficient and economical in finding planets that have life outside of Earth.

Fantasy image cube satellite works in space.(Photo: NASA)

According to Live Science, NASA scientists are proposing to search for new worlds using hand-sized satellites.

" This plan will be much more economical than launching a large satellite, because they can both get more data in a shorter time but even cheaper ", Ameer Blake, year student. at the end of Howard University, Washington said.

Blake and his instructor, Aki Roberge, NASA astronomer, are studying the possibility of using a device called a cube satellite to search for a new planet around the Beta Pictoris star. In the January meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Florida, scientists believe that there may exist a planet around this star, called Beta Pictoris b.

Small

In 2008, using NASA's Hubble telescope, scientists found a giant planet 1.5 times larger than Jupiter, orbiting the Beta Pictoris star.

The distance from the planet to the host star is nine times the distance from the Earth to the Sun, equivalent to Saturn's orbit in the solar system. Beta Pictoris b is an extraterrestrial planet (the extrasolar planet) that can capture images.

The Hubble is particularly suitable to observe giant planets, several times larger than Jupiter, but it is difficult for small planets or too close to their stars.

Blake and Roberge have the idea of ​​launching a cube satellite into space in search of a new world. Researchers have discovered a belt that stretches for more than 1,400 times the distance from Earth to the Sun on both sides of the Beta Pictoris star, and our planet's orbit is in line with the orbit. this. This allows the cube to search for other planets in the orbit of the planet Beta Pictoris b by teleportation.

Unlike the direct image capture method (capturing reflected light from the planet, from which the planet's image is captured), the teleportation method that the Kepler telescope is using can be searched even in the shadow of the planet when obscured.

Based on preliminary studies, Blake suggested that a cube satellite could detect gas planets in short orbits.

" We can absolutely find hot Jupiter ," Blake said. Jupiter, the largest planet of the solar system, is still considered a cold planet due to its orbit away from the Sun. Blake mentioned the possibility of finding planets much larger than Jupiter, and lying in orbit closer to Mercury's orbit.

Discovered and collected

Years ago, planet-searching scientist Sara Seager of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology proposed using a small satellite team to understand planets outside the solar system.

Blake said the idea was an inspiration for him and the instructor to consider using a satellite tool to focus on studying a star.

" This is simply focusing on a planet and looking for all possible information ," Blake said.

When this method proves effective, other satellites will be launched to search for other planets or confirm preliminary observations made, such as those obtained from the Kepler telescope. .

The first cube satellite was born in 1999 to serve research and technology testing at universities. They have a standard shape that is a cube of 10 cm each.

Ultra-small cube-sized satellites will save time and money in finding new planets.(Photo: NASA)

The two satellites are expected to launch in March to support NASA's Mars InSight spacecraft during the approach and landing at the surface of Mars. Scientists are still discussing the possibility of releasing them at Enceladus (Saturn's moon) and Europa (Jupiter's moon).

The biggest challenge for these micro satellites is time . To determine if a celestial object is called a planet, the scientific world requires at least three movements of celestial bodies to be recorded - that is, three times the celestial body between its sun and the Earth. in an observable position. This process takes place every 2-6 months. Blake's research predicts that satellites will be in orbit for a year and a half, but can only work for half a year.

Blake and Roberge made preliminary studies showing that the use of cube satellites to search for planets around the Star Pictoris is a feasible plan.

Their next step is to work with engineers, designers to determine the equipment needed to build such a satellite. From there, they can estimate the cost of use, which is of course much lower than the $ 550 million figure of the Kepler space telescope.