NASA's Roman Space Telescope Tests Coronagraph for Direct Exoplanet Imaging

NASA is commissioning the Coronagraph Instrument (CGI) aboard the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, combining coronagraphy with active wavefront control and two deformable mirrors. The system targets a billion-to-one contrast, up to a thousandfold improvement over current direct imaging. First science images are expected in early 2027.

• CGI uses two deformable mirrors with over 1,600 actuators each
• Target contrast is a billion to one, comparable to Jupiter and the Sun
• Fuel savings could extend the mission from 5 to 22 years
• Roman launched on Falcon Heavy on August 30, 2026, arriving at L2 in December