THE SCIENCE BEHIND ASPERA
SCIENCE MISSION
Aspera will observe 10 nearby galaxies in extremely deep single fields to determine how often detectable levels of far ultraviolet gas emission exists. Three galaxies will receive extended observations to produce detailed two-dimensional maps showing how gas flows in and out of galactic systems, creating the first comprehensive maps of their circumgalactic medium.​
Aspera’s primary mission is planned to last 6 months in duration, with the possibility of an extended mission, pending availability of funds. The spacecraft is designed for a lifetime of up to 5 years post-launch.​
DONATIONS ARE CRITICAL IN ORDER TO KEEP THE SATELLITE IN ORBIT FOR MORE THAN 6 MONTHS.
THE 50 YEAR MYSTERY
For five decades, astronomers have been like detectives trying to understand a house in complete darkness. We could only see the "missing" gas in galaxies when it happened to be in front of a background light source, like trying to know what's in your house only by looking at shadows cast from distant street lights outside your windows.The Problem: 80% of the gas that should exist around galaxies simply cannot be detected. This isn't a small detail—this invisible gas is the raw material that creates stars and planets, including our own solar system.
ASPERA'S BREAKTHROUGH
Aspera changes everything by serving as our night-vision goggles, allowing us to see the whole house for the first time. This revolutionary small telescope will create the first-ever complete maps of this hidden gas, revealing where it is, how it moves, and how it transforms into the building blocks of worlds like ours.
The Innovation: Instead of waiting for gas to block background light, Aspera actively detects the faint ultraviolet glow this warm-hot gas naturally emits.
TECHNICAL INNOVATION
THE SPACECRAFT
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Platform: SFL Mission, Inc. DEFIANT microsatellite
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Size: Roughly the dimensions of a mini-fridge
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Cost: ~$20M total—just 1% of traditional space telescopes
Development time: 5 years vs. 15-20 years for a typical flagship observatory
THE TELESCOPE
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Dual-channel far-UV spectrograph optimized for 101-106 nm wavelength
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Field of view: 1° × 30" per channel
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Spectral resolution: R ~ 2,000
Launch: Rocket Lab Electron rocket from New Zealand, 2026
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For a comprehensive peer-reviewed mission overview: