Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ExoData (ExoData: a commercially supported space telescope)
Période du rapport: 2015-11-01 au 2017-04-30
The ExoData Proof of Concept project built on the results from the very successful ExoMol Advanced Award which created comprehensive spectroscopic line lists to help understand and model the atmospheres of exoplanets. ExoData PoC provided the first steps to help build and fund a satellite, called Twinkle, aimed at characterising exoplanet atmospheres using a cheap, agile, low earth orbit satellite mission with a launch date this decade. The concept is to fund the mission, at least in part, by the sale of telescope data to interested international clients. This represents a new business model for astronomical satellites. The ExoData project funded business development in partnership with a small company, Blue Skies Space Ltd which was created to sell telescope and other data from this mission. Extensive international engagement and enthusiasm has resulted in the identification of a significant number of potential customers. The project is now moving onto the next stage on the path the final deliverable of a space mission funded using a novel business model.