LIFE (Large Interferometer For Exoplanets) is a proposed mid-infrared space-based nulling-interferometer concept for direct-imaging and atmospheric spectroscopy of nearby terrestrial exoplanets. Led from ETH Zürich and partnered across European institutions, LIFE targets the thermal-infrared band where habitable-zone biosignature gases like ozone, water, CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O have strong spectral features.
LIFE has no confirmed launch date. It is frequently cited in parallel with NASA’s habitable-worlds-observatory as a candidate facility to confirm biosignature candidates that jwst can only nominate (src-jwst-biosignature-prospects-2025). Nearby habitable-zone planets such as gj-887-d and the candidate gas giant around alpha-centauri-a are prime LIFE targets.