A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) – the next-generation exoplanet hunter designed to detect planets from Earth’s size to the largest gas giants orbiting stars outside our Solar System. Built by Orbital ATK, the 350-Kilogram TESS hosts an array of telescopes designed for an all-sky survey focused the nearest 200 Light Years from Earth to identify exoplanet candidates via transit photometry for future observation by other telescopic assets like JWST. The relatively compact spacecraft will operate from a lunar resonance orbit of 17 by 59 Earth Radii.

Mission Resources:

➡ Mission Updates

? Live Launch Coverage

? TESS Mission: Introduction – Spacecraft Platform – Instrument – Orbit Design

? Launch Vehicle Overview: Falcon 9 FT

⏰ Countdown Timeline

⏱ Flight Profile

☂ Launch Weather

? Launch Site Schedule