Asset Publisher

Summary

Summary

EChO
Exoplanet Characterisation Observatory

Exploring the atmospheres of diverse worlds beyond our Solar System

Themes What are the conditions for planet formation and the emergence of life?
Primary goal To characterise the atmospheres of a diverse sample of nearby transiting exoplanets, including super Earths
Targets A sample of transiting exoplanets orbiting nearby F, G, K and M-type stars, covering a range of temperatures (250 Kelvin < T_equilibrium < a few 1000 Kelvin) and masses (few to 100s of Earth masses)
Wavelength Visible - thermal infrared (0.55 – 11 microns, with a goal to extend to 0.4 - 16 microns)
Telescope 1 metre class
Orbit Quasi halo orbit around the second Sun-Earth Lagrange point, L2
Lifetime 4 years
Type M-class candidate mission

 

Mission Timeline

  • 2024: Targeted launch date
  • February 2014: PLATO was selected as M3 - the third medium-class mission in ESA's Cosmic Vision Programme
  • 2013: Under assessment - decision from Science Programme Committee (SPC) expected by February 2014
  • February 2013: Science payload consortium selected
  • October 2011: Invitation to Tender issued to industry
  • September 2011: Concurrent Design Facility (CDF) study performed
  • February 2011: EChO is one of four missions selected for further study  
  • 2010: Proposed as an M-Class mission in response to Call for Proposals

 

Last Update: 1 September 2019
19-Mar-2024 09:37 UT

ShortUrl Portlet

Shortcut URL

https://sci.esa.int/s/8zaX29W

Images And Videos

Related Publications

Related Links

See Also

Documentation