Tianlin: a 6.6m UV/VIS/NIR space telescope dedicated to the search for exolife evidence

The ongoing and upcoming space-based planet survey missions, such as TESS, PLATO, and ET, are expected to discover thousands of small- to medium-sized planets, including over 100 potentially habitable rocky planets. To further study these Earth 2.0, the exoplanetary science community has proposed various follow-up missions. However, none of these missions will be able to characterize the atmospheres of Earth-like planets in habitable zones or detect potential biosignatures. China is pushing Tianlin, a 6.6m UV-to-NIR space telescope, projected to begin operations around 2035+ with a mission lifespan exceeding 10 years. Tianlin's primary goal will be the characterization of rocky planets in the habitable zones of nearby stars, with a focus on identifying possible biosignatures. Additionally, this mission aims to significantly enhance our understanding of exoplanet populations, nearby galaxies, and the early universe. International collaborations in multiple disciplines are welcome.