Terrestrial Planet Finder space vehicle architecture trades

Michael J. Wehner; Stewart L. Moses; Keith Kroening; Elizabeth D. Johnson

doi:10.1117/12.317133

24 July 1998 Terrestrial Planet Finder space vehicle architecture trades

Michael J. Wehner, Stewart L. Moses, Keith Kroening, Elizabeth D. Johnson

Proceedings Volume 3350, Astronomical Interferometry; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.317133
Event: Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 1998, Kona, HI, United States

Abstract

The goal of NASA's Terrestrial PLanet Finder program is to detect Earth-size planets orbiting other stars and evaluate their ability to sustain life. This will be accomplished through spaced-based infrared interferometry using baselines much longer than previously flown. This paper presents the technical trades being evaluated by TRW to implement this investigation. Two primary concepts are considered: a single monolithic deployed interferometer with a baseline of up to ∼100 meters and a free-flying constellation of interferometer components featuring precision station-keeping over baselines of up to several kilometers. Exo-planet detection is best performed at ∼ 10 micron wavelength requiring the instrument to operate at cryogenic temperatures to minimize the effects of telescope thermal emissions. Further improvements in sensitivity can be facilitated by flying on a deep space trajectory away from the Sun to reduce zodiacal background emissions. Numerous technical innovations are necessary to enable such a system; however, most of these technologies are being developed by existing programs and there should be no roadblocks to fielding such a terrestrial planet finder in the 2010-2020 time frame.

Citation Download Citation

Michael J. Wehner, Stewart L. Moses, Keith Kroening, and Elizabeth D. Johnson "Terrestrial Planet Finder space vehicle architecture trades", Proc. SPIE 3350, Astronomical Interferometry, (24 July 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.317133

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