The UK is set to play an important role in the LiteBIRD mission, which will trace patterns in the light from space.
The LiteBIRD mission (‘Light satellite for the study of B-mode polarisation and Inflation from cosmic background Radiation Detection’) will analyse variations in light left over from the Big Bang.
The analysis will test the accuracy of the of the cosmological inflation theory.
Investments into the LiteBIRD mission
The UK Space Agency has announced £2.7m in funding for the mission, which will facilitate:
- A group of UK scientists to design elements of LiteBIRD’s highly specialised science instruments and analyse their findings; and
- The production of the telescope’s lenses and filters by Cardiff University. The university is the only institution in the world with the expertise needed to make them.
Throughout the life of the mission, the UK Space Agency intends to invest a total £17m.
The LiteBIRD mission is expected to launch before 2030.
Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, said: “We expect LiteBIRD to be a game-changer for our understanding of cosmology, putting our best theories to the test as to what happened at the start of the Universe.
“It’s incredibly exciting for the UK to be at the forefront of this mission, working together with international partners to push the boundaries of space science and answer some of humanity’s biggest questions.”
The theory of cosmological inflation
The theory of cosmological inflation predicts that primordial gravitational waves can be observed in the light left over from the very beginning of the Universe.
To test this theory, the pattern of B-mode polarisation in the cosmic microwave background will be analysed by LiteBIRD.
The LiteBIRD mission will launch a combination of high, mid, and low frequency telescopes to detect B-mode signals in the cosmic microwave background.
Co-ordinated by the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the telescopes used have unprecedented sensitivity, and the potential to prove or disprove cosmological inflation.
The UK’s role in the LiteBIRD mission
The UK is part of the European Consortium led by the French space agency CNES, who will deliver the high and mid frequency telescopes.
Cardiff University will lead the optical design and component development with support from other UK universities including Cambridge, Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College London, Oxford, Manchester, and Sussex.
George Freeman MP, Minister for Space at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, said: “This initial £2.7m investment through our UK Space Agency in the first phase of the LiteBIRD mission, led by Japan, to explore the origins of our Universe, is a great moment for both UK space science and technology and our deepening science, technology and innovation collaboration with Japan.
“The LiteBIRD mission will use specialised telescope technology developed by Cardiff University and a consortium of UK universities pioneering world class deep space science and cutting-edge technology.”
UK’s commitment to space projects
The LiteBIRD mission is just one example of the UK’s commitment to space exploration.
The UK has also committed £1.7m from its £20m International Bilateral Fund to support Viasat’s in-orbit telemetry relay service, In-Range. This will be used in Mitsubishi Heavy Industry’s H3 launch vehicle.
The new rocket is set to take off from 2025, and is designed to offer a reliable and cost-effective solution for commercial launches.
The UK Space Agency has also awarded funding for experts at the University of Aberdeen to work on the initial design for an instrument for a future JAXA Mars rover.
The device, named Habit, will observe the habitability of the landing site. It will also provide environmental information and demonstrate an In-Situ Resource Utilisation technology for future Mars exploration.
