
Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope
An upcoming wide-field observatory designed to seek out dark energy and hidden exoplanets.
First Mentioned
9/27/2026, 4:40:39 AM
Last Updated
9/27/2026, 4:42:26 AM
Research Retrieved
9/27/2026, 4:42:26 AM
Summary
The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, a NASA infrared observatory, is set to launch on a trajectory toward a Sun-Earth L2 orbit on August 30, 2026. Named after NASA's first chief of astronomy, the telescope utilizes a donated 2.4-meter primary mirror and will feature two scientific instruments: the Wide-Field Instrument (WFI), a large-format camera offering image sharpness comparable to the Hubble Space Telescope over a significantly wider field of view, and the Coronagraph Instrument (CGI), designed for high-contrast imaging and spectroscopy to suppress starlight. Roman's scientific objectives include searching for exoplanets via gravitational microlensing, studying the universe's chronology and cosmic structure growth, and measuring the effects of dark energy, general relativity, and spacetime curvature. The telescope was recommended as a top priority by a 2010 National Research Council Decadal Survey and approved for development in 2016, with its first science images anticipated in early 2027. The Roman Space Telescope will join other significant Earth-orbiting assets like the James Webb Space Telescope and the Hubble Space Telescope in the endeavor to understand dark energy and dark matter.
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View on WikipediaNancy Grace Roman Space Telescope
The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is a NASA infrared space telescope that was launched on a trajectory toward a Sun–Earth L2 orbit on 30 August 2026. It is named after NASA's first chief of astronomy, Nancy Grace Roman. The telescope is based on an existing 2.4-meter (7.9-foot) primary mirror with a wide field of view that was donated by the National Reconnaissance Office and will carry two scientific instruments. The Wide-Field Instrument (WFI) is a 300.8-megapixel multi-band visible and near-infrared camera, providing image sharpness comparable to the Hubble Space Telescope over a 0.28-square-degree field of view, 100 times larger than imaging cameras on the Hubble. The Coronagraph Instrument (CGI) is a high-contrast, small-field-of-view camera and spectrometer covering visible and near-infrared wavelengths using novel starlight-suppression technology. Its objectives include a search for exoplanets using gravitational microlensing, along with probing the chronology of the universe and growth of cosmic structure, with the end goal of measuring the effects of dark energy, the consistency of general relativity, and the curvature of spacetime. Roman was recommended in 2010 by the United States National Research Council Decadal Survey committee as the top priority for the next decade of astronomy. It was approved for development and launch on 17 February 2016. NASA expects to release Roman's first science images by early 2027.
Web Search Results
- Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope
Edit this at Wikidata Edit this on Wikidata | Instruments | | --- | | WFI | Wide-Field Instrument | | CGI | Coronagraph Instrument | The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is a NASA infrared space telescope that was launched on a trajectory toward a Sun–Earth L2 orbit on 30 August 2026 by a Falcon Heavy launch vehicle. It is named after NASA's first chief of astronomy, Nancy Grace Roman. [...] ## History ### Origins The design of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope shares a heritage with various proposed designs for the Joint Dark Energy Mission (JDEM) between NASA and the Department of Energy (DOE). The original design, called WFIRST (Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope) Design Reference Mission 1, was studied in 2011–2012, featuring a 1.3-meter (4 ft 3 in) diameter unobstructed three-mirror anastigmat telescope. It contained a single instrument, a visible to near-infrared imager/slitless prism spectrometer. [...] | | | --- | | Rendered model of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope | | | Names | Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST) Joint Dark Energy Mission (JDEM) | | | | | Mission type | Infrared space telescope | | Operator | NASA / GSFC | | COSPAR ID | 2026-199A Edit this at Wikidata | | SATCAT no. | 100532Edit this on Wikidata | | Website | roman.gsfc.nasa.gov | | Mission duration | 5 years (planned) 17 days, 6 hours, 49 minutes (elapsed) | | | | | | | | Spacecraft properties | | | Manufacturer | NASA Goddard Space Flight Center | | Launch mass | 9,174 kg (20,225 lb) | | Power | 4.1 kW | | | | | | | | Start of mission | | | Launch date | 30 August 2026, 11:26:04 UTC (7:26:04 AM EDT) | | Rocket | Falcon Heavy Block 5 (B1105 / B1072‑3 / B1104‑1), Flight 13 |
- Roman Space Telescope
Named for Nancy Grace Roman, the Roman Space Telescope (formerly, the Wide Field InfraRed Survey Telescope, or WFIRST) is a NASA observatory designed to settle essential questions in the areas of dark energy, exoplanets and infrared astrophysics. The telescope has a primary mirror that is 2.4 meters (7.9 feet) in diameter and is the same size as the Hubble Space Telescope's primary mirror. The Roman Space Telescope is designed to have two instruments, the Wide Field Instrument and a technology demonstration Coronagraph Instrument. The Wide Field Instrument will have a field of view that is 100 times greater than the Hubble infrared instrument, allowing it to capture more of the sky with less observing time. The Coronagraph Instrument will perform high contrast imaging and spectroscopy of
- Mission Overview - Roman User Documentation
# Introduction The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is a NASA space telescope that observes at visible and infrared wavelengths and is designed to tackle questions in the areas of dark energy, exoplanets, and general astrophysics. Roman has a primary mirror that is 2.4 meters in diameter (the same size as Hubble's) and has two instruments, the Wide Field Instrument and the Coronagraph Instrument. The Wide Field Instrument is the main survey instrument having a field of view 200 times larger than Hubble's infrared view. Roman is slated to launch no later than May 2027, with the team working toward a potential early launch as soon as September 2026. Science Payload [...] Roman User Documentation Close Menu Menu Navigation Home Roman Proposals Home Cycle 1 Call for Proposals Mission Overview # Mission Overview This section briefly summarizes the scientific capabilities of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. Note: The content of the Call represents the known ground characterization of the observatory performance through October 2025. It is anticipated that improved and/or additional technical performance specifications will be available over the next few months, pending analysis of data obtained during integration and testing of the Roman hardware. For the latest information, please refer to the Late Breaking News. # Introduction
- Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope | STScI
# Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope ## Roman for Scientists ### Current #### The Roman Research Nexus is Live The Nexus is a cloud-based computing environment enabling efficient access, exploration, and analysis of Roman data. Access simulated data and tutorials now. Learn more on RDox. Expanding our view ... to a panoramic vista 200 times larger than Hubble’s infrared view. The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is a Hubble-sized telescope that will revolutionize astronomy by building on the science discoveries and technological leaps of the Hubble and James Webb space telescopes. Roman launched on August 30, 2026. [...] Roman will provide a panoramic field of view that is 200 times greater than Hubble's infrared view, leading to the first wide-field maps of the universe at space-based resolution. Roman will combine the power of imaging and spectroscopy in synergy with other observatories to gain fresh insights into the universe through focused surveys and General Astrophysics observations. Using a wide field instrument, Roman will survey billions of galaxies and catch the light of stellar explosions in a quest to solve the mystery of dark energy, which is causing the universe’s expansion to speed up. Roman’s scans of the sky will uncover thousands of exoplanets beyond our solar system, including types of planets never surveyed before. [...] An observation (labeled “VISTA V V V Survey, Near-infrared) of the Milky Way’s center pointing toward its supermassive black hole, which is labeled Sagittarius A (pronounced “A star”). At 7 o’clock from center is a small region, outlined with 5 fields of view from the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope that are stacked together in a horizontal rectangle. This region is about a third of the image in length and a fifth of the image in width. Within that same region are diagonal lines that alternate between orange and blue. A legend at the bottom left shows two Hubble instruments. One of them, marked with an orange diamond, is labeled “W F C 3 / U V I S.” The other, marked with a blue diamond, is labeled “A C S / W F C.” The background is a field of stars, gas, and dust that appear grey,
- Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope | L3Harris® Fast. Forward.
# Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope ## Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is designed to provide data that might settle some of the most enduring mysteries of the universe – dark energy, dark matter, exoplanets and undiscovered galaxies. On This Page L3Harris' Role Roman Photos Roman Video Contact the Universe Exploration Team Download Data Sheet WFIRST Space Civil Space & Mission Systems Civil Space United States Space Telescopes Space Antennas & Structures Universe Exploration SHARE Linkedin X Truthsocial Facebook ## Roman Space Telescope Mission [...] NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, encapsulated in a protective payload fairing atop a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, is seen at sunrise, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, at Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope launches from Florida Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope optics system. Credit: NASA/Chris Gunn [...] NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, encapsulated in a protective payload fairing atop a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, is seen at sunrise, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, at Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, enca... Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope launches from Florida With a primary mirror only one forth the mass of Hubble, L3Harris provided the 2.4-meter Optical Telescope Assembly for NASA, which serves as the eye of the launched Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. With a primary mirror only one forth the mass ... ## Related News Cutline: L3Harris continues to advance the SDA Tranche 3 Tracking Layer Press release | 09. 24. 2026
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