# Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite

> NASA satellite of the Explorer program

**Wikidata**: [Q1323537](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1323537)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transiting_Exoplanet_Survey_Satellite)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/transiting-exoplanet-survey-satellite

## Summary
The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) is a NASA space telescope designed to search for exoplanets by detecting their transits across stars. Launched in 2018, TESS is part of NASA's Explorer program and was developed in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It operates in a highly elliptical orbit, scanning large sections of the sky to identify potential exoplanets.

## Key Facts
- **Class**: Space telescope
- **Program**: Explorer 95, Medium Explorer program (MIDEX-7)
- **Launch Date**: April 18, 2018, at 22:51:30 UTC
- **Launch Vehicle**: Falcon 9 Full Thrust (Block 5, Booster B1045)
- **Launch Site**: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40
- **Mass**: 350 kilograms
- **Orbit**: Highly elliptical orbit with an apogee of 373,000 km and a perigee of 108,000 km
- **Orbital Period**: Approximately 13.7 days
- **Power Consumption**: 400 watts
- **Operators**: NASA and Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- **Manufacturer**: Orbital Sciences Corporation
- **Launch Contractor**: SpaceX
- **Website**: [tess.gsfc.nasa.gov](http://tess.gsfc.nasa.gov/)

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary mission of TESS?
A: TESS's primary mission is to survey the sky for exoplanets by detecting their transits across stars, focusing on bright stars to facilitate follow-up observations.

### Q: How does TESS differ from other exoplanet-hunting missions?
A: Unlike missions like Kepler, which focused on a single field of view, TESS uses a scanning strategy to observe 26 different sectors of the sky, covering more than 85% of the celestial sphere.

### Q: What kind of orbit does TESS follow?
A: TESS follows a highly elliptical orbit with an apogee of 373,000 km and a perigee of 108,000 km, allowing it to observe large sections of the sky for extended periods.

### Q: Who developed TESS?
A: TESS was developed in collaboration between NASA and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, with contributions from Orbital Sciences Corporation.

### Q: How long has TESS been operational?
A: TESS was launched on April 18, 2018, and has been operational since then, continuing its mission to discover exoplanets.

## Why It Matters
TESS plays a crucial role in the search for exoplanets, particularly those that could support life. By identifying planets that transit across their host stars, TESS provides a catalog of potential targets for further study. Its wide-field survey approach allows it to cover a larger portion of the sky compared to previous missions, increasing the likelihood of discovering Earth-sized exoplanets in the habitable zone. The data collected by TESS has already led to the discovery of numerous exoplanets and has significantly contributed to our understanding of planetary systems beyond our solar system. Its mission supports NASA's broader goals in astrobiology and the search for extraterrestrial life.

## Notable For
- **Wide-Field Survey**: TESS's scanning strategy covers more than 85% of the sky, making it one of the most comprehensive exoplanet-hunting missions to date.
- **Collaboration with MIT**: The partnership between NASA and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in developing TESS highlights the importance of academic research in space exploration.
- **Use of SpaceX Technology**: TESS's launch on a Falcon 9 rocket by SpaceX demonstrated the growing role of commercial spaceflight in NASA's missions.
- **Discovery of Exoplanets**: TESS has identified numerous exoplanets, including some in the habitable zone of their host stars, expanding our knowledge of planetary systems.
- **Highly Elliptical Orbit**: TESS's unique orbit allows for extended observation periods, enhancing its ability to detect transiting exoplanets.

## Body
### Mission Overview
TESS was launched on April 18, 2018, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40. The satellite is part of NASA's Explorer program and was developed in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Its primary mission is to survey the sky for exoplanets by detecting their transits across stars, focusing on bright stars to facilitate follow-up observations.

### Orbit and Operation
TESS follows a highly elliptical orbit with an apogee of 373,000 km and a perigee of 108,000 km. This orbit allows TESS to observe large sections of the sky for extended periods, with an orbital period of approximately 13.7 days. The satellite's power consumption is 400 watts, and it operates in a highly elliptical orbit around Earth.

### Scientific Contributions
TESS has significantly contributed to the discovery of exoplanets, including those in the habitable zone of their host stars. Its wide-field survey approach has allowed it to cover more than 85% of the sky, making it one of the most comprehensive exoplanet-hunting missions to date. The data collected by TESS has been instrumental in expanding our understanding of planetary systems beyond our solar system.

### Collaborations and Partnerships
TESS was developed in collaboration between NASA and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, with contributions from Orbital Sciences Corporation. The partnership highlights the importance of academic research in space exploration and the role of commercial spaceflight in NASA's missions. TESS's launch on a Falcon 9 rocket by SpaceX demonstrated the growing role of commercial spaceflight in NASA's missions.

### Significance and Impact
TESS plays a crucial role in the search for exoplanets, particularly those that could support life. Its mission supports NASA's broader goals in astrobiology and the search for extraterrestrial life. The data collected by TESS has already led to the discovery of numerous exoplanets and has significantly contributed to our understanding of planetary systems beyond our solar system.

## Schema Markup
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## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sat/explorer.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. BBC Things
5. Quora