Future Missions: TESS, PLATO, JWST, and World Telescope

The COROT and Kepler Missions have given us important information about the frequency and characteristics of exoplanets, but many questions remain that must be addressed by future missions. Currently three missions are in development; TESS, PLATO, and JWST. Results from these should identify the closest planets and provide targets for in depth investigations by both ground-based and space-based programs. It is expected that JWST will be able to detect the planetary atmospheres and get spectra of the brightest targets. It is unclear whether it will be able to do so for small planets in the habitable zones of the host stars. The New World Telescope is expected be the first to have the capability to detect biosignatures and thereby inspire even more advanced missions.