Japan plans to join US project in search for extraterrestrial life

The Japanese government is considering joining a US-led initiative to create a space telescope for searching Earth-like planets and extraterrestrial life.

Report informs via Kyodo News Agency that under NASA's "Habitable Worlds Observatory" project, a space telescope operating in ultraviolet, optical, and infrared ranges is planned to be launched in the early 2040s. This telescope will be the successor to the James Webb Space Telescope, which was launched in 2021.

Japan intends to assign a specialized group within the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to assess potential technological contributions to the project. The telescope will be positioned in orbit, 1.5 million kilometers away from Earth, and will utilize infrared and ultraviolet radiation to detect exoplanets with conditions such as liquid water and an atmosphere capable of sustaining life.