ASTHROS Mission of NASA
                     ASTHROS Mission of 
NASA
Introduction
NASA is launching into the stratosphere a telescope and a 
balloon of the size of a football stadium so researchers can 
study star formation. 
Source: GKToday
About ASTHROS
The telescope, called ASTHROS, measures at 8.4 feet, and the frame 
holding the balloon is 400 feet long.
ASTHROS detects far-infrared light-light with wavelengths invisible to 
the human eye-blocked by the atmosphere of Earth.
Source: Bullfrag
Description: ASTHROS
It must float at about 130,000 feet per release from NASA's Jet Propulsion 
Laboratory, which is leading the project, to enter the atmosphere below. 
This will track four primary goals while it is in the stratosphere: two star-forming 
regions in the Milky Way galaxy, the Messier 83 galaxy, and a young star called 
TW Hydrae. 
Source: UK-Global News
Reason behind the Hype
According to NASA, the telescope will make 3D maps of gas density, velocity, 
and motion in these regions to research a phenomenon known as stellar 
feedback — which, according to NASA's JPL scientist Jorge Pineda, is the 
greatest regulator of star formation in the history of the universe.
Source: SciTechDaily
Risks
Per JPL, the threats include unexpected technological difficulties due to the 
complexity of sending a balloon into space – which can impact the outcome of 
the mission. 
Every year, NASA sends 10 to 15 balloons, but none ever hold a telescope of 
this size. 
Source: Bullfrag
Mission and Vision
Through exploring new technology and providing training to the next 
generation of engineers and scientists, the project would pave the way 
for future space missions.
Source: Business Standard
Cost
Through exploring new technology and providing training to the next 
generation of engineers and scientists, the project would pave the way 
for future space missions.
Source: Pixabay
Application-1
ASTHROS will create the first detailed 3D maps of gas density, velocity, and 
motion in these regions to see how the newborn giants influence their placental 
material. 
With this, the team hopes to gain insight into how stellar feedback operates, 
and provide new knowledge to refine galaxy evolution computer simulations.
Source: InsideHook
Application-2
ASTHROS will observe TW Hydrae, a young star surrounded by a large dust and gas 
disk in which planets will form. ASTHROS will calculate the total mass of this 
protoplanetary disk with its specific capabilities and demonstrate how the mass is 
distributed throughout. 
These observations could potentially reveal places where the dust clumps to form 
planets. Learning more about protoplanetary disks will help astronomers understand how 
the young solar systems shape various types of planets.
Source: NASA
Conclusion
The team expects the balloon to complete two to three loops around the South Pole in 
around 21 to 28 days with prevailing stratospheric winds carrying them. After completion 
of the science mission, operators must give flight termination commands separating the 
gondola that is attached to a parachute from the balloon. 
The parachute returns the gondola to the ground so that it can recover and refurbish the 
telescope for flying again.
Source: Tek Deeps