| Astrophysics (Index) | About |
ESPEX (for Early Star and Planet Evolution Explorer) is a concept under development for a small (40 cm or less) space telescope in low Earth orbit to monitor stellar activity of nearby stars, including those hosting extra-solar planets. The general stellar activity and stellar evolution knowledge gained would help quantify the effects of such activity on planet formation, in particular quantifying the expected atmospheric escape through resulting photoevaporation, and therefore, the likelihood of planet habitability. It could be an SMEX mission.