\r
Credit: NASA/Scott Wiessinger \r
\r
Alt text: EXCITE hangs from a crane in a large space.\r
\r
Image description: A large telescope hangs from a crane in a cavernous space. The telescope sits inside a white base and pokes out from under a white triangular cover. Various pieces of electrical components with dangling wires and tubes are attached to the front of the base. Two solar panels are attached to the back of the telescope and extend to either side. A man in a yellow vest and white hard hat sits at a desk to the right of the telescope, and a row of tool chests is lined up along the right. ", "items": [ { "id": 524822, "type": "media", "extra_data": null, "title": null, "caption": null, "instance": { "id": 1205585, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a015000/a015098/EXCITE_Goddard_June11_SW_001.jpg", "filename": "EXCITE_Goddard_June11_SW_001.jpg", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "The EXCITE (EXoplanet Climate Infrared TElescope) payload hangs inside the Integration and Testing complex at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., on June 11, 2026. The team, including Principal Investigator Peter Nagler, seen at lower right, prepared EXCITE for shipment to NASA’s CSBF (Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility) in Palestine, Texas. \r\rCredit: NASA/Scott Wiessinger \r\rAlt text: EXCITE hangs from a crane in a large space.\r\rImage description: A large telescope hangs from a crane in a cavernous space. The telescope sits inside a white base and pokes out from under a white triangular cover. Various pieces of electrical components with dangling wires and tubes are attached to the front of the base. Two solar panels are attached to the back of the telescope and extend to either side. A man in a yellow vest and white hard hat sits at a desk to the right of the telescope, and a row of tool chests is lined up along the right. ", "width": 2856, "height": 2142, "pixels": 6117552 } }, { "id": 524824, "type": "media", "extra_data": null, "title": null, "caption": null, "instance": { "id": 1205603, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a015000/a015098/EXCITE_Goddard_June11_SW_001_print.jpg", "filename": "EXCITE_Goddard_June11_SW_001_print.jpg", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "The EXCITE (EXoplanet Climate Infrared TElescope) payload hangs inside the Integration and Testing complex at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., on June 11, 2026. The team, including Principal Investigator Peter Nagler, seen at lower right, prepared EXCITE for shipment to NASA’s CSBF (Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility) in Palestine, Texas. \r\rCredit: NASA/Scott Wiessinger \r\rAlt text: EXCITE hangs from a crane in a large space.\r\rImage description: A large telescope hangs from a crane in a cavernous space. The telescope sits inside a white base and pokes out from under a white triangular cover. Various pieces of electrical components with dangling wires and tubes are attached to the front of the base. Two solar panels are attached to the back of the telescope and extend to either side. A man in a yellow vest and white hard hat sits at a desk to the right of the telescope, and a row of tool chests is lined up along the right. ", "width": 1024, "height": 768, "pixels": 786432 } }, { "id": 524823, "type": "media", "extra_data": null, "title": null, "caption": null, "instance": { "id": 1205586, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a015000/a015098/EXCITE_Goddard_June11_SW_001_Full.jpg", "filename": "EXCITE_Goddard_June11_SW_001_Full.jpg", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "The EXCITE (EXoplanet Climate Infrared TElescope) payload hangs inside the Integration and Testing complex at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., on June 11, 2026. The team, including Principal Investigator Peter Nagler, seen at lower right, prepared EXCITE for shipment to NASA’s CSBF (Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility) in Palestine, Texas. \r\rCredit: NASA/Scott Wiessinger \r\rAlt text: EXCITE hangs from a crane in a large space.\r\rImage description: A large telescope hangs from a crane in a cavernous space. The telescope sits inside a white base and pokes out from under a white triangular cover. Various pieces of electrical components with dangling wires and tubes are attached to the front of the base. Two solar panels are attached to the back of the telescope and extend to either side. A man in a yellow vest and white hard hat sits at a desk to the right of the telescope, and a row of tool chests is lined up along the right. ", "width": 5712, "height": 4284, "pixels": 24470208 } }, { "id": 524825, "type": "media", "extra_data": null, "title": null, "caption": null, "instance": { "id": 1205604, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a015000/a015098/EXCITE_Goddard_June11_SW_001_searchweb.png", "filename": "EXCITE_Goddard_June11_SW_001_searchweb.png", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "The EXCITE (EXoplanet Climate Infrared TElescope) payload hangs inside the Integration and Testing complex at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., on June 11, 2026. The team, including Principal Investigator Peter Nagler, seen at lower right, prepared EXCITE for shipment to NASA’s CSBF (Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility) in Palestine, Texas. \r\rCredit: NASA/Scott Wiessinger \r\rAlt text: EXCITE hangs from a crane in a large space.\r\rImage description: A large telescope hangs from a crane in a cavernous space. The telescope sits inside a white base and pokes out from under a white triangular cover. Various pieces of electrical components with dangling wires and tubes are attached to the front of the base. Two solar panels are attached to the back of the telescope and extend to either side. A man in a yellow vest and white hard hat sits at a desk to the right of the telescope, and a row of tool chests is lined up along the right. ", "width": 320, "height": 180, "pixels": 57600 } }, { "id": 524826, "type": "media", "extra_data": null, "title": null, "caption": null, "instance": { "id": 1205605, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a015000/a015098/EXCITE_Goddard_June11_SW_001_web.png", "filename": "EXCITE_Goddard_June11_SW_001_web.png", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "The EXCITE (EXoplanet Climate Infrared TElescope) payload hangs inside the Integration and Testing complex at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., on June 11, 2026. The team, including Principal Investigator Peter Nagler, seen at lower right, prepared EXCITE for shipment to NASA’s CSBF (Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility) in Palestine, Texas. \r\rCredit: NASA/Scott Wiessinger \r\rAlt text: EXCITE hangs from a crane in a large space.\r\rImage description: A large telescope hangs from a crane in a cavernous space. The telescope sits inside a white base and pokes out from under a white triangular cover. Various pieces of electrical components with dangling wires and tubes are attached to the front of the base. Two solar panels are attached to the back of the telescope and extend to either side. A man in a yellow vest and white hard hat sits at a desk to the right of the telescope, and a row of tool chests is lined up along the right. ", "width": 320, "height": 240, "pixels": 76800 } }, { "id": 524827, "type": "media", "extra_data": null, "title": null, "caption": null, "instance": { "id": 1205606, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a015000/a015098/EXCITE_Goddard_June11_SW_001_thm.png", "filename": "EXCITE_Goddard_June11_SW_001_thm.png", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "The EXCITE (EXoplanet Climate Infrared TElescope) payload hangs inside the Integration and Testing complex at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., on June 11, 2026. The team, including Principal Investigator Peter Nagler, seen at lower right, prepared EXCITE for shipment to NASA’s CSBF (Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility) in Palestine, Texas. \r\rCredit: NASA/Scott Wiessinger \r\rAlt text: EXCITE hangs from a crane in a large space.\r\rImage description: A large telescope hangs from a crane in a cavernous space. The telescope sits inside a white base and pokes out from under a white triangular cover. Various pieces of electrical components with dangling wires and tubes are attached to the front of the base. Two solar panels are attached to the back of the telescope and extend to either side. A man in a yellow vest and white hard hat sits at a desk to the right of the telescope, and a row of tool chests is lined up along the right. ", "width": 80, "height": 40, "pixels": 3200 } } ], "extra_data": {} }, { "id": 380907, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/15098/#media_group_380907", "widget": "Basic text with HTML", "title": "", "caption": "", "description": "During the first half of 2026, the EXCITE (EXoplanet Climate Infrared TElescope) team prepared their scientific payload for its long-duration balloon flight from McMurdo Station in Antarctica. The hardware shipped from NASA’s CSBF (Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility) in Palestine, Texas, in August.
EXCITE’s goal is to study the atmospheres around hot Jupiters, gas giant exoplanets that complete an orbit once every one to two days and have surface temperatures reaching thousands of degrees.
The telescope is designed fly to about 132,000 feet (40 kilometers) via a scientific balloon filled with helium. That takes it above 99.5% of Earth’s atmosphere. At that altitude, it can observe important infrared wavelengths that are not possible to detect from the ground. The long-duration flight from Antarctica, which could last weeks, will provide the optimum chance for observing planets for their entire orbit.", "items": [], "extra_data": {} }, { "id": 380893, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/15098/#media_group_380893", "widget": "Single image", "title": "", "caption": "", "description": "Nagler and Tim Rehm, a post-doctoral fellow working on EXCITE, examine the telescope at NASA Goddard on June 11, 2026. EXCITE’s near-infrared detector is a flight candidate from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope’s Near InfraRed Spectrograph instrument.\r
Credit: NASA/Sophia Roberts\r
Alt text: EXCITE hangs from a crane in a large room.\r
Image description: A large telescope hangs from a crane in a cavernous space. The telescope sits inside a white base and pokes out from under a white triangular cover. Two solar panels are attached to the back of the telescope and extend to either side. Two people in white hard hats and yellow safety vests stand to the left. The space around the telescope is cordoned off by metal gates and stacks of equipment.", "items": [ { "id": 524838, "type": "media", "extra_data": null, "title": null, "caption": null, "instance": { "id": 1205581, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a015000/a015098/EXCITE_Goddard_June11_SR_002.jpg", "filename": "EXCITE_Goddard_June11_SR_002.jpg", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "Nagler and Tim Rehm, a post-doctoral fellow working on EXCITE, examine the telescope at NASA Goddard on June 11, 2026. EXCITE’s near-infrared detector is a flight candidate from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope’s Near InfraRed Spectrograph instrument.\rCredit: NASA/Sophia Roberts\rAlt text: EXCITE hangs from a crane in a large room.\rImage description: A large telescope hangs from a crane in a cavernous space. The telescope sits inside a white base and pokes out from under a white triangular cover. Two solar panels are attached to the back of the telescope and extend to either side. Two people in white hard hats and yellow safety vests stand to the left. The space around the telescope is cordoned off by metal gates and stacks of equipment.", "width": 2703, "height": 1803, "pixels": 4873509 } }, { "id": 524839, "type": "media", "extra_data": null, "title": null, "caption": null, "instance": { "id": 1205582, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a015000/a015098/EXCITE_Goddard_June11_SR_002_Full.jpg", "filename": "EXCITE_Goddard_June11_SR_002_Full.jpg", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "Nagler and Tim Rehm, a post-doctoral fellow working on EXCITE, examine the telescope at NASA Goddard on June 11, 2026. EXCITE’s near-infrared detector is a flight candidate from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope’s Near InfraRed Spectrograph instrument.\rCredit: NASA/Sophia Roberts\rAlt text: EXCITE hangs from a crane in a large room.\rImage description: A large telescope hangs from a crane in a cavernous space. The telescope sits inside a white base and pokes out from under a white triangular cover. Two solar panels are attached to the back of the telescope and extend to either side. Two people in white hard hats and yellow safety vests stand to the left. The space around the telescope is cordoned off by metal gates and stacks of equipment.", "width": 8192, "height": 5464, "pixels": 44761088 } } ], "extra_data": {} }, { "id": 380894, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/15098/#media_group_380894", "widget": "Single image", "title": "", "caption": "", "description": "Rehm and Nagler work on EXCITE at NASA Goddard on June 11, 2026. \r
\r
Credit: NASA/Scott Wiessinger\r
\r
Alt text: EXCITE hangs from a crane in a large room. \r
\r
Image description: A large telescope hangs from a crane in a cavernous space. The telescope sits inside a white base and pokes out from under a white triangular cover. Two solar panels are attached to the back of the telescope and extend to either side. A man in a yellow safety vest and white hard hat stands to the right. A second person’s hard hat is visible behind him. There is a line of tool chests on the left. A black and yellow safety barrier cordons off the area around the telescope. ", "items": [ { "id": 524842, "type": "media", "extra_data": null, "title": null, "caption": null, "instance": { "id": 1205587, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a015000/a015098/EXCITE_Goddard_June11_SW_002.jpg", "filename": "EXCITE_Goddard_June11_SW_002.jpg", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "Rehm and Nagler work on EXCITE at NASA Goddard on June 11, 2026. \r\rCredit: NASA/Scott Wiessinger\r\rAlt text: EXCITE hangs from a crane in a large room. \r\rImage description: A large telescope hangs from a crane in a cavernous space. The telescope sits inside a white base and pokes out from under a white triangular cover. Two solar panels are attached to the back of the telescope and extend to either side. A man in a yellow safety vest and white hard hat stands to the right. A second person’s hard hat is visible behind him. There is a line of tool chests on the left. A black and yellow safety barrier cordons off the area around the telescope. ", "width": 2142, "height": 2856, "pixels": 6117552 } }, { "id": 524843, "type": "media", "extra_data": null, "title": null, "caption": null, "instance": { "id": 1205588, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a015000/a015098/EXCITE_Goddard_June11_SW_Full.jpg", "filename": "EXCITE_Goddard_June11_SW_Full.jpg", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "Rehm and Nagler work on EXCITE at NASA Goddard on June 11, 2026. \r\rCredit: NASA/Scott Wiessinger\r\rAlt text: EXCITE hangs from a crane in a large room. \r\rImage description: A large telescope hangs from a crane in a cavernous space. The telescope sits inside a white base and pokes out from under a white triangular cover. Two solar panels are attached to the back of the telescope and extend to either side. A man in a yellow safety vest and white hard hat stands to the right. A second person’s hard hat is visible behind him. There is a line of tool chests on the left. A black and yellow safety barrier cordons off the area around the telescope. ", "width": 5712, "height": 4284, "pixels": 24470208 } } ], "extra_data": {} }, { "id": 380895, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/15098/#media_group_380895", "widget": "Single image", "title": "", "caption": "", "description": "Rehm (left) and Nagler examine EXCITE at NASA Goddard on June 11, 2026. \r
\r
Credit: NASA/Sophia Roberts\r
\r
Alt text: Two people look at the EXCITE telescope.\r
\r
Image description: Two people in yellow safety vests and white hard hats stand on either side of a large telescope. The camera looks up at them and the telescope. The telescope hangs from a crane that is out of frame. It sits inside a white base and pokes out from under a white triangular cover. Two solar panels are attached to the back of the telescope and extend to either side. Various pieces of electrical components with dangling wires and tubes are attached to the front of the base. ", "items": [ { "id": 524844, "type": "media", "extra_data": null, "title": null, "caption": null, "instance": { "id": 1205579, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a015000/a015098/EXCITE_Goddard_June11_SR_001.jpg", "filename": "EXCITE_Goddard_June11_SR_001.jpg", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "Rehm (left) and Nagler examine EXCITE at NASA Goddard on June 11, 2026. \r\rCredit: NASA/Sophia Roberts\r\rAlt text: Two people look at the EXCITE telescope.\r\rImage description: Two people in yellow safety vests and white hard hats stand on either side of a large telescope. The camera looks up at them and the telescope. The telescope hangs from a crane that is out of frame. It sits inside a white base and pokes out from under a white triangular cover. Two solar panels are attached to the back of the telescope and extend to either side. Various pieces of electrical components with dangling wires and tubes are attached to the front of the base. ", "width": 2372, "height": 1582, "pixels": 3752504 } }, { "id": 524845, "type": "media", "extra_data": null, "title": null, "caption": null, "instance": { "id": 1205580, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a015000/a015098/EXCITE_Goddard_June11_SR_001_Full.jpg", "filename": "EXCITE_Goddard_June11_SR_001_Full.jpg", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "Rehm (left) and Nagler examine EXCITE at NASA Goddard on June 11, 2026. \r\rCredit: NASA/Sophia Roberts\r\rAlt text: Two people look at the EXCITE telescope.\r\rImage description: Two people in yellow safety vests and white hard hats stand on either side of a large telescope. The camera looks up at them and the telescope. The telescope hangs from a crane that is out of frame. It sits inside a white base and pokes out from under a white triangular cover. Two solar panels are attached to the back of the telescope and extend to either side. Various pieces of electrical components with dangling wires and tubes are attached to the front of the base. ", "width": 7189, "height": 4793, "pixels": 34456877 } } ], "extra_data": {} }, { "id": 380896, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/15098/#media_group_380896", "widget": "Single image", "title": "", "caption": "", "description": "Nagler stands next to the EXCITE telescope at NASA Goddard on June 11, 2026. \r
\r
Credit: NASA/Sophia Roberts\r
\r
Alt text: A man stands next to the EXCITE telescope.\r
\r
Image description: A man in a yellow safety vest and white hard hat stands next to a telescope. The telescope sits inside a white base and pokes out from under a white triangular cover. Two solar panels are attached to the back of the telescope and extend to either side. Various pieces of electrical components with dangling wires and tubes are attached to the front of the base. The NASA worm insignia is stuck to the side of a box attached to the base.", "items": [ { "id": 524846, "type": "media", "extra_data": null, "title": null, "caption": null, "instance": { "id": 1205583, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a015000/a015098/EXCITE_Goddard_June11_SR_003.jpg", "filename": "EXCITE_Goddard_June11_SR_003.jpg", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "Nagler stands next to the EXCITE telescope at NASA Goddard on June 11, 2026. \r\rCredit: NASA/Sophia Roberts\r\rAlt text: A man stands next to the EXCITE telescope.\r\rImage description: A man in a yellow safety vest and white hard hat stands next to a telescope. The telescope sits inside a white base and pokes out from under a white triangular cover. Two solar panels are attached to the back of the telescope and extend to either side. Various pieces of electrical components with dangling wires and tubes are attached to the front of the base. The NASA worm insignia is stuck to the side of a box attached to the base.", "width": 2703, "height": 1803, "pixels": 4873509 } }, { "id": 524848, "type": "media", "extra_data": null, "title": null, "caption": null, "instance": { "id": 1205599, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a015000/a015098/EXCITE_Goddard_June11_SR_003_print.jpg", "filename": "EXCITE_Goddard_June11_SR_003_print.jpg", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "Nagler stands next to the EXCITE telescope at NASA Goddard on June 11, 2026. \r\rCredit: NASA/Sophia Roberts\r\rAlt text: A man stands next to the EXCITE telescope.\r\rImage description: A man in a yellow safety vest and white hard hat stands next to a telescope. The telescope sits inside a white base and pokes out from under a white triangular cover. Two solar panels are attached to the back of the telescope and extend to either side. Various pieces of electrical components with dangling wires and tubes are attached to the front of the base. The NASA worm insignia is stuck to the side of a box attached to the base.", "width": 1024, "height": 683, "pixels": 699392 } }, { "id": 524847, "type": "media", "extra_data": null, "title": null, "caption": null, "instance": { "id": 1205584, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a015000/a015098/EXCITE_Goddard_June11_SR_003_Full.jpg", "filename": "EXCITE_Goddard_June11_SR_003_Full.jpg", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "Nagler stands next to the EXCITE telescope at NASA Goddard on June 11, 2026. \r\rCredit: NASA/Sophia Roberts\r\rAlt text: A man stands next to the EXCITE telescope.\r\rImage description: A man in a yellow safety vest and white hard hat stands next to a telescope. The telescope sits inside a white base and pokes out from under a white triangular cover. Two solar panels are attached to the back of the telescope and extend to either side. Various pieces of electrical components with dangling wires and tubes are attached to the front of the base. The NASA worm insignia is stuck to the side of a box attached to the base.", "width": 8192, "height": 5464, "pixels": 44761088 } }, { "id": 524849, "type": "media", "extra_data": null, "title": null, "caption": null, "instance": { "id": 1205600, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a015000/a015098/EXCITE_Goddard_June11_SR_003_searchweb.png", "filename": "EXCITE_Goddard_June11_SR_003_searchweb.png", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "Nagler stands next to the EXCITE telescope at NASA Goddard on June 11, 2026. \r\rCredit: NASA/Sophia Roberts\r\rAlt text: A man stands next to the EXCITE telescope.\r\rImage description: A man in a yellow safety vest and white hard hat stands next to a telescope. The telescope sits inside a white base and pokes out from under a white triangular cover. Two solar panels are attached to the back of the telescope and extend to either side. Various pieces of electrical components with dangling wires and tubes are attached to the front of the base. The NASA worm insignia is stuck to the side of a box attached to the base.", "width": 320, "height": 180, "pixels": 57600 } }, { "id": 524850, "type": "media", "extra_data": null, "title": null, "caption": null, "instance": { "id": 1205601, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a015000/a015098/EXCITE_Goddard_June11_SR_003_web.png", "filename": "EXCITE_Goddard_June11_SR_003_web.png", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "Nagler stands next to the EXCITE telescope at NASA Goddard on June 11, 2026. \r\rCredit: NASA/Sophia Roberts\r\rAlt text: A man stands next to the EXCITE telescope.\r\rImage description: A man in a yellow safety vest and white hard hat stands next to a telescope. The telescope sits inside a white base and pokes out from under a white triangular cover. Two solar panels are attached to the back of the telescope and extend to either side. Various pieces of electrical components with dangling wires and tubes are attached to the front of the base. The NASA worm insignia is stuck to the side of a box attached to the base.", "width": 320, "height": 213, "pixels": 68160 } }, { "id": 524851, "type": "media", "extra_data": null, "title": null, "caption": null, "instance": { "id": 1205602, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a015000/a015098/EXCITE_Goddard_June11_SR_003_thm.png", "filename": "EXCITE_Goddard_June11_SR_003_thm.png", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "Nagler stands next to the EXCITE telescope at NASA Goddard on June 11, 2026. \r\rCredit: NASA/Sophia Roberts\r\rAlt text: A man stands next to the EXCITE telescope.\r\rImage description: A man in a yellow safety vest and white hard hat stands next to a telescope. The telescope sits inside a white base and pokes out from under a white triangular cover. Two solar panels are attached to the back of the telescope and extend to either side. Various pieces of electrical components with dangling wires and tubes are attached to the front of the base. The NASA worm insignia is stuck to the side of a box attached to the base.", "width": 80, "height": 40, "pixels": 3200 } } ], "extra_data": {} }, { "id": 380897, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/15098/#media_group_380897", "widget": "Single image", "title": "", "caption": "", "description": "The EXCITE team runs nighttime tests on the telescope on July 9, 2026, at NASA CSBF. From left to right: Rehm, Nagler, Khing Klangboonkrong (Brown University) almost out of sight behind a computer screen, Oliver Carey (Brown University), and Greg Tucker (Brown University). \r
\r
Credit: NASA/Kyle Helson\r
\r
Alt text: People sit at computers around a telescope in a dark space.\r
\r
Image description: Five people look at brightly lit computer screens in a dark space, divided by the looming shape of a telescope. To the left, a man in a dark shirt stands behind two people sitting at desks. To the right, two more people sit at desks.", "items": [ { "id": 524852, "type": "media", "extra_data": null, "title": null, "caption": null, "instance": { "id": 1205591, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a015000/a015098/EXCITE_Palestine_July10_KH3.jpg", "filename": "EXCITE_Palestine_July10_KH3.jpg", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "The EXCITE team runs nighttime tests on the telescope on July 9, 2026, at NASA CSBF. From left to right: Rehm, Nagler, Khing Klangboonkrong (Brown University) almost out of sight behind a computer screen, Oliver Carey (Brown University), and Greg Tucker (Brown University). \r\rCredit: NASA/Kyle Helson\r\rAlt text: People sit at computers around a telescope in a dark space.\r\rImage description: Five people look at brightly lit computer screens in a dark space, divided by the looming shape of a telescope. To the left, a man in a dark shirt stands behind two people sitting at desks. To the right, two more people sit at desks.", "width": 2048, "height": 1366, "pixels": 2797568 } } ], "extra_data": {} }, { "id": 380898, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/15098/#media_group_380898", "widget": "Single image", "title": "", "caption": "", "description": "Klangboonkrong, Rehm, and Nagler look at EXCITE’s instrument readouts on July 10, 2026, at NASA CSBF. The team conducted nighttime pointing exercises with the telescope to evaluate all systems before it shipped to Antarctica ahead of a long-duration flight. \r
\r
Credit: NASA/Kyle Helson\r
\r
Alt text: Three people look at computer screens in a dark space. \r
\r
Image description: Three people look at brightly lit computer screens in a dark space. Two sit at a desk in front of the computers, and the third stands behind them. A series of pipes and gauges are attached to the wall behind them. ", "items": [ { "id": 524855, "type": "media", "extra_data": null, "title": null, "caption": null, "instance": { "id": 1205597, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a015000/a015098/EXCITE_Palestine_July10_KH_002.jpg", "filename": "EXCITE_Palestine_July10_KH_002.jpg", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "Klangboonkrong, Rehm, and Nagler look at EXCITE’s instrument readouts on July 10, 2026, at NASA CSBF. The team conducted nighttime pointing exercises with the telescope to evaluate all systems before it shipped to Antarctica ahead of a long-duration flight. \r\rCredit: NASA/Kyle Helson\r\rAlt text: Three people look at computer screens in a dark space. \r\rImage description: Three people look at brightly lit computer screens in a dark space. Two sit at a desk in front of the computers, and the third stands behind them. A series of pipes and gauges are attached to the wall behind them. ", "width": 2048, "height": 1366, "pixels": 2797568 } } ], "extra_data": {} }, { "id": 380899, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/15098/#media_group_380899", "widget": "Single image", "title": "", "caption": "", "description": "An open hangar door at NASA CSBF frames the Big Dipper on July 10, 2026, as the EXCITE payload faces outward. \r
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Credit: NASA/Kyle Helson\r
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Alt text: A telescope is positioned in front of an open hangar door. \r
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Image description: The EXCITE telescope peers out at the night sky from the bottom right corner of this image. The camera looks out and up at a large open hangar door to a sky dotted with stars. A line of yellow caution tape cordons off the open doorway.", "items": [ { "id": 524856, "type": "media", "extra_data": null, "title": null, "caption": null, "instance": { "id": 1205589, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a015000/a015098/EXCITE_Palestine_July10_KH_001.jpg", "filename": "EXCITE_Palestine_July10_KH_001.jpg", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "An open hangar door at NASA CSBF frames the Big Dipper on July 10, 2026, as the EXCITE payload faces outward. \r\rCredit: NASA/Kyle Helson\r\rAlt text: A telescope is positioned in front of an open hangar door. \r\rImage description: The EXCITE telescope peers out at the night sky from the bottom right corner of this image. The camera looks out and up at a large open hangar door to a sky dotted with stars. A line of yellow caution tape cordons off the open doorway.", "width": 1366, "height": 2048, "pixels": 2797568 } } ], "extra_data": {} }, { "id": 380900, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/15098/#media_group_380900", "widget": "Single image", "title": "", "caption": "", "description": "The EXCITE telescope hangs from a crane inside a hangar at NASA CSBF and looks out at the sky on July 11, 2026. \r
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Credit: NASA/Lee Bernard \r
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Alt text: A telescope looks out at the night sky.\r
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Image description: A white telescope hands from a crane inside a large hangar at night. It faces an open hangar door. Red light inside the hangar illuminates the telescope.", "items": [ { "id": 524810, "type": "media", "extra_data": null, "title": null, "caption": null, "instance": { "id": 1205592, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a015000/a015098/EXCITE_Palestine_July11_LB.jpg", "filename": "EXCITE_Palestine_July11_LB.jpg", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "The EXCITE telescope hangs from a crane inside a hangar at NASA CSBF and looks out at the sky on July 11, 2026. \r\rCredit: NASA/Lee Bernard \r\rAlt text: A telescope looks out at the night sky.\r\rImage description: A white telescope hands from a crane inside a large hangar at night. It faces an open hangar door. Red light inside the hangar illuminates the telescope.", "width": 1944, "height": 2592, "pixels": 5038848 } }, { "id": 524811, "type": "media", "extra_data": null, "title": null, "caption": null, "instance": { "id": 1205593, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a015000/a015098/EXCITE_Palestine_July11_LB_Full.JPG", "filename": "EXCITE_Palestine_July11_LB_Full.JPG", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "The EXCITE telescope hangs from a crane inside a hangar at NASA CSBF and looks out at the sky on July 11, 2026. \r\rCredit: NASA/Lee Bernard \r\rAlt text: A telescope looks out at the night sky.\r\rImage description: A white telescope hands from a crane inside a large hangar at night. It faces an open hangar door. Red light inside the hangar illuminates the telescope.", "width": 5184, "height": 3888, "pixels": 20155392 } } ], "extra_data": {} }, { "id": 380903, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/15098/#media_group_380903", "widget": "Single image", "title": "", "caption": "", "description": "The EXCITE telescope sits outside at NASA CSBF on July 18, 2026. The silver squares attached to the bottom are the radiator panels, which channel heat away from the instrumentation. The bar attached to the cap carries communications equipment so the CSBF and EXCITE teams can receive data from the telescope during flight. \r
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Credit: Brown University/Khing Klangboonkrong\r
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Alt text: EXCITE sits outside on an overcast day.\r
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Image description: A large telescope sits outside in a paved area between buildings. The telescope sits inside a white base and pokes out from under a white triangular cover. Two solar panels are attached to the back of the telescope and extend to either side. Various pieces of electrical components with dangling wires and tubes are attached to the front of the base. Two silver squares are attached to a pole along the bottom. A bar with panels and boxes is attached to the top. The sky is overcast. ", "items": [ { "id": 524805, "type": "media", "extra_data": null, "title": null, "caption": null, "instance": { "id": 1205594, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a015000/a015098/EXCITE_Palestine_July18_KK.jpg", "filename": "EXCITE_Palestine_July18_KK.jpg", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "The EXCITE telescope sits outside at NASA CSBF on July 18, 2026. The silver squares attached to the bottom are the radiator panels, which channel heat away from the instrumentation. The bar attached to the cap carries communications equipment so the CSBF and EXCITE teams can receive data from the telescope during flight. \r\rCredit: Brown University/Khing Klangboonkrong\r\rAlt text: EXCITE sits outside on an overcast day.\r\rImage description: A large telescope sits outside in a paved area between buildings. The telescope sits inside a white base and pokes out from under a white triangular cover. Two solar panels are attached to the back of the telescope and extend to either side. Various pieces of electrical components with dangling wires and tubes are attached to the front of the base. Two silver squares are attached to a pole along the bottom. A bar with panels and boxes is attached to the top. The sky is overcast. ", "width": 1512, "height": 2016, "pixels": 3048192 } }, { "id": 524857, "type": "media", "extra_data": null, "title": null, "caption": null, "instance": { "id": 1205595, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a015000/a015098/EXCITE_Palestine_July18_KK_Full.jpg", "filename": "EXCITE_Palestine_July18_KK_Full.jpg", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "The EXCITE telescope sits outside at NASA CSBF on July 18, 2026. The silver squares attached to the bottom are the radiator panels, which channel heat away from the instrumentation. The bar attached to the cap carries communications equipment so the CSBF and EXCITE teams can receive data from the telescope during flight. \r\rCredit: Brown University/Khing Klangboonkrong\r\rAlt text: EXCITE sits outside on an overcast day.\r\rImage description: A large telescope sits outside in a paved area between buildings. The telescope sits inside a white base and pokes out from under a white triangular cover. Two solar panels are attached to the back of the telescope and extend to either side. Various pieces of electrical components with dangling wires and tubes are attached to the front of the base. Two silver squares are attached to a pole along the bottom. A bar with panels and boxes is attached to the top. The sky is overcast. ", "width": 3024, "height": 4032, "pixels": 12192768 } } ], "extra_data": {} }, { "id": 380904, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/15098/#media_group_380904", "widget": "Single image", "title": "", "caption": "", "description": "The EXCITE telescope hangs from a crane outside at NASA CSBF on July 21, 2026. The mission and balloon teams conducted a compatibility test, which demonstrates that EXCITE can communicate with the ground under its own power during flight. \r
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Credit: NASA/Kyle Helson\r
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Alt text: EXCITE hangs from a crane. \r
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Image description: A large telescope hangs from an out-of-frame crane on a sunny day. The telescope sits inside a base covered in silver foil and underneath a white triangular cover. Two solar panels are attached to the back of the telescope and extend to either side. The top of the telescope is also covered in silver foil. Two silver squares are attached to the bottom of the base, and a bar with panels and boxes is attached to the cap. Square solar panels are attached to the bottom and side. ", "items": [ { "id": 524806, "type": "media", "extra_data": null, "title": null, "caption": null, "instance": { "id": 1205596, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a015000/a015098/EXCITE_Palestine_July21_KH_001.jpg", "filename": "EXCITE_Palestine_July21_KH_001.jpg", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "The EXCITE telescope hangs from a crane outside at NASA CSBF on July 21, 2026. The mission and balloon teams conducted a compatibility test, which demonstrates that EXCITE can communicate with the ground under its own power during flight. \r\rCredit: NASA/Kyle Helson\r\rAlt text: EXCITE hangs from a crane. \r\rImage description: A large telescope hangs from an out-of-frame crane on a sunny day. The telescope sits inside a base covered in silver foil and underneath a white triangular cover. Two solar panels are attached to the back of the telescope and extend to either side. The top of the telescope is also covered in silver foil. Two silver squares are attached to the bottom of the base, and a bar with panels and boxes is attached to the cap. Square solar panels are attached to the bottom and side. ", "width": 2049, "height": 3072, "pixels": 6294528 } } ], "extra_data": {} }, { "id": 380905, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/15098/#media_group_380905", "widget": "Single image", "title": "", "caption": "", "description": "A group of NASA CSBF electricians and engineers examine the EXCITE telescope during the compatibility test on July 21, 2026. \r
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Credit: NASA/Kyle Helson\r
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Alt text: People work on the EXCITE telescope.\r
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Image description: A group of people wearing hard hats stand around a telescope hanging from a crane under a cloudless sky. Some wear orange or yellow safety vests, others wear blue electrostatic discharge jackets. The telescope sits inside a white base and pokes out from under a white triangular cover. Two solar panels are attached to the back of the telescope and extend to either side. There is a large hangar with an open door to the right of the telescope. ", "items": [ { "id": 524807, "type": "media", "extra_data": null, "title": null, "caption": null, "instance": { "id": 1205590, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a015000/a015098/EXCITE_Palestine_July21_KH_002.jpg", "filename": "EXCITE_Palestine_July21_KH_002.jpg", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "A group of NASA CSBF electricians and engineers examine the EXCITE telescope during the compatibility test on July 21, 2026. \r\rCredit: NASA/Kyle Helson\r\rAlt text: People work on the EXCITE telescope.\r\rImage description: A group of people wearing hard hats stand around a telescope hanging from a crane under a cloudless sky. Some wear orange or yellow safety vests, others wear blue electrostatic discharge jackets. The telescope sits inside a white base and pokes out from under a white triangular cover. Two solar panels are attached to the back of the telescope and extend to either side. There is a large hangar with an open door to the right of the telescope. ", "width": 3072, "height": 2049, "pixels": 6294528 } } ], "extra_data": {} }, { "id": 380906, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/15098/#media_group_380906", "widget": "Single image", "title": "", "caption": "", "description": "A group of NASA CSBF electricians and engineers examine the EXCITE telescope during the compatibility test on July 21, 2026. \r
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Credit: NASA/Kyle Helson\r
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Alt text: People work on the EXCITE telescope.\r
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Image description: A group of people wearing hard hats stand around a telescope hanging from a crane under a cloudless sky. Some wear orange or yellow safety vests, others wear blue electrostatic discharge jackets. The telescope sits inside a white base and pokes out from under a white triangular cover. Two solar panels are attached to the back of the telescope and extend to either side. There is a large tree in the background.", "items": [ { "id": 524808, "type": "media", "extra_data": null, "title": null, "caption": null, "instance": { "id": 1205598, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a015000/a015098/EXCITE_Palestine_July21_KH_003.jpg", "filename": "EXCITE_Palestine_July21_KH_003.jpg", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "A group of NASA CSBF electricians and engineers examine the EXCITE telescope during the compatibility test on July 21, 2026. \r\rCredit: NASA/Kyle Helson\r\rAlt text: People work on the EXCITE telescope.\r\rImage description: A group of people wearing hard hats stand around a telescope hanging from a crane under a cloudless sky. Some wear orange or yellow safety vests, others wear blue electrostatic discharge jackets. The telescope sits inside a white base and pokes out from under a white triangular cover. Two solar panels are attached to the back of the telescope and extend to either side. There is a large tree in the background.", "width": 2049, "height": 3072, "pixels": 6294528 } } ], "extra_data": {} } ], "studio": "gms", "funding_sources": [ "NASA Astrophysics" ], "credits": [ { "role": "Science writer", "people": [ { "name": "Jeanette Kazmierczak", "employer": "University of Maryland College Park" } ] }, { "role": "Photographer", "people": [ { "name": "Kyle Helson", "employer": null }, { "name": "Scott Wiessinger", "employer": "eMITS" }, { "name": "Sophia Roberts", "employer": "eMITS" } ] } ], "missions": [], "series": [ "Astrophysics Stills" ], "tapes": [], "papers": [], "datasets": [], "nasa_science_categories": [ "Universe" ], "keywords": [ "Ast", "Astrophysics", "Balloon", "Exoplanet", "Exoplanet Atmospheres", "Infrared", "Space", "Star", "Universe" ], "recommended_pages": [], "related": [ { "id": 14650, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/14650/", "page_type": "Produced Video", "title": "EXCITE 2024: Infrared Detector and Spectrometer", "description": "EXCITE (EXoplanet Climate Infrared TElescope) is designed to study atmospheres around exoplanets, or worlds beyond our solar system, during long-duration scientific balloon trips over Antarctica.These images, taken in July 2024, show Peter Nagler and Nat DeNigris preparing EXCITE’s infrared detector and installing it into the mission’s spectrometer at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. At the time, the EXCITE team was gearing up for a test flight in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. || ", "release_date": "2024-11-25T00:00:00-05:00", "update_date": "2024-11-25T16:17:46-05:00", "main_image": { "id": 1139699, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a014600/a014650/EXCITE_Detector-15_print.jpg", "filename": "EXCITE_Detector-15_print.jpg", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "The EXCITE (EXoplanet Climate Infrared TElescope) infrared detector, shown here, is a flight candidate from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope’s NIRSpec (Near InfraRed Spectrograph) instrument. Engineers mounted it to a copper base ahead of installing into to the mission’s spectrometer assembly. The detector allows EXCITE to collect spectroscopic measurements from 1 to 4 microns — the near-infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. \r\rCredit: NASA/Sophia Roberts\r\rAlt text: EXCITE’s infrared detector on a lab bench\rImage description: A blue-gloved hand rests on a tabletop. One finger is placed on the copper base of an infrared detector. The detector is a purple square set within two silver triangles. A rectangular brown circuit board runs along the top. In the background are yellow- and red-handled screwdrivers and a black-and-white fan, all out of focus.", "width": 1024, "height": 683, "pixels": 699392 } }, { "id": 14725, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/14725/", "page_type": "Produced Video", "title": "EXCITE 2024: Payload Prep", "description": "In August 2024, the EXCITE (EXoplanet Climate Infrared TElescope) team conducted a test flight of their telescope from NASA’s Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility in Fort Sumner, New Mexico.EXCITE's goal is to study atmospheres around hot Jupiters, gas giant exoplanets that complete an orbit once every one to two days and have temperatures in the thousands of degrees.The telescope is designed fly to about 132,000 feet (40 kilometers) via a scientific balloon filled with helium. That takes it above 99.5% of Earth’s atmosphere. At that altitude, it can observe multiple infrared wavelengths with little interference. In the future, EXCITE could take observations over both Arctic and Antarctic, with the latter offering longer duration flights optimum for observing planets for their entire orbit. || ", "release_date": "2024-11-25T00:00:00-05:00", "update_date": "2024-11-25T13:53:22-05:00", "main_image": { "id": 1139619, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a014700/a014725/EXCITE_Telescope_searchweb.png", "filename": "EXCITE_Telescope_searchweb.png", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "NASA Goddard astrophysicist Kyle Helson looks at EXCITE (EXoplanet Climate Infrared TElescope) as it dangles from the ceiling of a hangar at NASA’s Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility in Fort Sumner, New Mexico.\r\rCredit: NASA/Sophia Roberts\r\rAlt text: A man looks at a large telescope in a hangar. \r\rImage description: A crane suspends a shiny silver telescope in a large hangar at night. The top is conical, with a section cut out for a cylinder. The body is rhombus-shaped and has two shiny rectangular panels attached to the bottom that extend slightly in front of the telescope. The background shows the hangar is full of equipment, and the foreground shows the outside of the building. There are orange cones in front of the hanger doors. A person in a reflective vest and hard hat stands to the left of the open doors.", "width": 320, "height": 180, "pixels": 57600 } }, { "id": 14726, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/14726/", "page_type": "Produced Video", "title": "EXCITE 2024: Launch and Recovery", "description": "On August 31, 2024, the EXCITE (EXoplanet Climate Infrared TElescope) team conducted a test flight of their telescope from NASA’s Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility in Fort Sumner, New Mexico.EXCITE's goal is to study atmospheres around hot Jupiters, gas giant exoplanets that complete an orbit once every one to two days and have temperatures in the thousands of degrees.The telescope is designed fly to about 132,000 feet (40 kilometers) via a scientific balloon filled with helium. That takes it above 99.5% of Earth’s atmosphere. At that altitude, it can observe multiple infrared wavelengths with little interference. In the future, EXCITE could take observations over both the north and south poles, although flights over Antarctica allow for longer-duration flights at a latitude optimum for observing planets for their entire orbit. || ", "release_date": "2024-11-25T00:00:00-05:00", "update_date": "2024-11-25T13:52:40-05:00", "main_image": { "id": 1139633, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a014700/a014726/1-_EXCITE_Launch_searchweb.png", "filename": "1-_EXCITE_Launch_searchweb.png", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "The EXCITE (EXoplanet Climate Infrared TElescope) mission prepares for launch via a scientific balloon in this photograph taken on Aug. 31, 2024, at NASA’s Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility in Fort Sumner, New Mexico.\r\rCredit: NASA/Sophia Roberts\r\rAlt text: A large vehicle hosts a telescope. \r\rImage description: A large vehicle stands in the center as dawn breaks over a desert landscape. The vehicle has a long arm extending forward. At the end of the arm dangles a shiny silver telescope. The top is conical, and various rectangular structures are attached to the bottoms and sides. The vehicle has lights along the arm that illuminate the telescope. There’s a truck parked to the vehicle’s left. In the distance, the sky is orange at the horizon, shading from purple to blue at the top of the image. There is a line of streaky clouds across the center.", "width": 320, "height": 180, "pixels": 57600 } } ], "sources": [], "products": [], "newer_versions": [], "older_versions": [], "alternate_versions": [] }