K2 For Kepler

NASA has approved a new two-year mission for its Kepler spacecraft.  Dubbed K2, the new mission will have Kepler on the lookout for a variety of things, from exoplanets to supernovas.

Its original exoplanet hunting mission ended when two of four reaction wheels failed, meaning the craft could no long maintain its orientation in space over extended periods with the necessary precision.  The new mission is slightly less demanding in that area.