LIFE
Large Interferometer for Exoplanets
Until today, Earth remains the only known place in the cosmos that supports life. However, over the last 30 years, we have learned that, statistically, nearly all stars host planetary systems. Notably, a significant fraction of these planets is similar in mass, size, and temperature to Earth, raising the question of whether some have developed extraterrestrial biospheres. These biospheres can be inferred through the detection of atmospheric absorption lines of so-called biosignatures – molecules present only due to biological activity. Unfortunately, current ground- and space-based instruments cannot yet detect these signatures.
Our research group is leading the development of the Large Interferometer For Exoplanets (LIFE) space mission project. As a space-based Interferometer operating at mid-infrared wavelengths, LIFE aims to become the world’s leading mission in the search for life beyond the Solar System. With a target launch no later than 2040, LIFE’s vision and ambition go beyond standard agency-led development processes, driving us to explore new private-public partnerships. LIFE’s unique discovery potential will help us answer one of humanity’s oldest questions: Are we alone?
In preparation of LIFE, we are developing the “Nulling Interferometry Cryogenic Experiment (NICE)”, a testbed that aims to demonstrate the feasibility of the LIFE measuring principle. Read more about NICE and its results.
LIFE Space Mission
external page LIFE