Kepler Mission extended to 2016
Wednesday, April 4, 2012 - 07:31
in Astronomy & Space
With NASAs tight budget, there were concerns that some of the agencys most successful astrophysics missions might not be able to continue. Anxieties were rampant about one mission in particular, the very fruitful exoplanet-hunting Kepler mission, as several years of observations are required in order for Kepler to confirm a repeated orbit as a planet transits its star. But today, after a long awaited Senior Review of nine astrophysics missions, surprisingly all have received funding to continue at least through 2014, with several mission extensions, including Kepler.