NASA's Pandora satellite mission to document at least 20 known planets orbiting distant stars will start from SpaceX at its Starbase launch facility in Cameron County, Texas.

The Pandora satellite launch likely will occur sometime in the fall after the recent completion of the spacecraft bus that supports the satellite mission's structure, power and other systems.

Pandora satellite mission

The Pandora is a small satellite that is designed to study the atmospheres of respective planets that are located beyond the solar system. The satellite also will record the activities of respective host stars and how light is affected when planets pass in front of the stars.