The path to interferometry in space

Rinehart, Stephen A.; Savini, G.; Holland, W. S.; Absil, Olivier; Defrère, Denis; Spencer, L. D.; Leisawitz, David; Rizzo, Maxime; Juanola-Paramon, R.; Mozurkewich, David

doi:10.1117/12.2231754

Cited by 4 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 22 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The path towards space-based interferometry is regularly discussed in the community and these discussions often involve the need for precursor missions. 71,72 Concepts of small-scale space-based infrared nulling interferometers were seriously considered in the 2000's both in Europe and in the US: the Fourier-Kelvin Stellar Interferometer 73,74 and Pegase. 75 More recently, concepts for interferometric platforms have been proposed, such as FIRST-S, 76 a 3U CubeSat with a Lithium Niobate nulling combiner.…”

Section: Demonstration Missions On Small Platformsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Review and scientific prospects of high-contrast optical stellar interferometry

Defrère

Absil²,

Berger

et al. 2020

Optical and Infrared Interferometry and Imaging VII

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Section: Demonstration Missions On Small Platformsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Review and scientific prospects of high-contrast optical stellar interferometry

Defrère

Absil²,

Berger

et al. 2020

Optical and Infrared Interferometry and Imaging VII

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The path towards space-based interferometry is regularly discussed and this often involves the need for precursor missions (e.g., Rinehart et al 2016). In addition to free-flying demonstrators already discussed in Section 3.4.1, concepts of small-scale space-based infrared nulling interferometers were seriously considered both in Europe and in the US: the Fourier-Kelvin Stellar Interferometer (FKSI, Danchi et al 2008) and Pegase (Ollivier et al 2009).…”

Section: Precursor Conceptsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Space-based infrared interferometry to study exoplanetary atmospheres

et al. 2018

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The quest for other habitable worlds and the search for life among them are major goals of modern astronomy. One way to make progress towards these goals is to obtain high-quality spectra of a large number of exoplanets over a broad range of wavelengths. While concepts currently investigated in the United States are focused on visible/NIR wavelengths, where the planets are probed in reflected light, a compelling alternative to characterize planetary atmospheres is the mid-infrared waveband (5-20 µm). Indeed, mid-infrared observations provide key information on the presence of an atmosphere, the surface conditions (e.g., temperature, pressure, habitability), and the atmospheric composition in important species such as H 2 O, CO 2 , O 3 , CH 4 , and N 2 O. This information is essential to investigate the potential habitability of exoplanets and to make progress towards the search for life in the Universe. Obtaining high-quality mid-infrared spectra of exoplanets from the ground is however extremely challenging due to the overwhelming brightness and turbulence of the Earth's atmosphere. In this paper, we present a concept of space-based midinfrared interferometer that can tackle this observing challenge and discuss the main technological developments required to launch such a sophisticated instrument.

show abstract

“…1 A space-based nulling interferometer is therefore needed. 2,3 Such a project is currently under study under the name of LIFE (Large Interferometer For Exoplanets). The idea is to position a free-flying interferometer in the Earth-Sun L2 point.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…4,5 Often discussed in the community, a precursor may be needed for this L-class mission. 3,6 Such precursors were also discussed in the 2000's when both Europe and the US were developing their own large free-flying space-based nulling interferometers (resp., Darwin and TPF-I). It was PEGASE 7,8 for Europe, Fourier-Kelvin Stellar Interferometer (FKSI) 9,10 or Cold Interferometric Nulling Demonstration in Space (CINDIS) 11 for the US.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feasibility study of an interferometric Small-Sat to study exoplanets

Dandumont¹,

Defrère

Loicq

2021

International Conference on Space Optics — ICSO 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

One of the main goals of exoplanet science is to characterize the atmosphere of rocky exoplanets in the habitable zone of nearby stars. A space-based nulling interferometry, observing in the mid-infrared (3-20 μm), is considered to be one of the most promising solutions to tackle this observing challenge. The LIFE project, a free-flying spacebased mid-infrared nulling interferometer, would have this capability. However, several key technologies need to be demonstrated before launching such an ambitious mission. A small space-based mission can be considered as a useful prerequisite. In this paper, we consider three small satellite architectures, two CubeSats, and a PROBA-like satellite. Based on a Bracewell architecture and without free-flying, these monolithic satellites can demonstrate some key components like the null capability and its stability on real targets. The achromatic phase shifter needs also to be demonstrated in space. Based on the scientific capabilities and exoplanet detection yield of these architectures, optical constraints are derived (pointing stability, and optical path difference correction). Orbital simulations, exploring a range of classical orbits for such a satellite, are also discussed.

show abstract

The path to interferometry in space

Cited by 4 publications

References 22 publications

Review and scientific prospects of high-contrast optical stellar interferometry

Review and scientific prospects of high-contrast optical stellar interferometry

Space-based infrared interferometry to study exoplanetary atmospheres

Feasibility study of an interferometric Small-Sat to study exoplanets

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About