The Fourier-Kelvin Stellar Interferometer: a low-complexity low-cost space mission for high-resolution astronomy and direct exoplanet detection

R. K. Barry; W. C. Danchi; L. D. Deming; L. J. Richardson; M. J. Kuchner; S. Seager; B. J. Frey; A. J. Martino; K. A. Lee; M. Zuray; J. Rajagopal; T. T. Hyde; R. Millan-Gabete; J. D. Monnier; R. J. Allen; W. A. Traub

doi:10.1117/12.672437

6 July 2006 The Fourier-Kelvin Stellar Interferometer: a low-complexity low-cost space mission for high-resolution astronomy and direct exoplanet detection

R. K. Barry, W. C. Danchi, L. D. Deming, L. J. Richardson, M. J. Kuchner, S. Seager, B. J. Frey, A. J. Martino, K. A. Lee, M. Zuray, J. Rajagopal, T. T. Hyde, R. Millan-Gabete, J. D. Monnier, R. J. Allen, W. A. Traub

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 6265, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation I: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter; 62651L (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.672437
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2006, Orlando, Florida , United States

Abstract

The Fourier-Kelvin Stellar Interferometer (FKSI) is a mission concept for a spacecraft-borne nulling interferometer for high-resolution astronomy and the direct detection of exoplanets and assay of their environments and atmospheres. FKSI is a high angular resolution system operating in the near to mid-infrared spectral region and is a scientific and technological pathfinder to the Darwin and Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF) missions. The instrument is configured with an optical system consisting, depending on configuration, of two 0.5 - 1.0 m telescopes on a 12.5 - 20 m boom feeding a symmetric, dual Mach- Zehnder beam combiner. We report on progress on our nulling testbed including the design of an optical pathlength null-tracking control system and development of a testing regime for hollow-core fiber waveguides proposed for use in wavefront cleanup. We also report results of integrated simulation studies of the planet detection performance of FKSI and results from an in-depth control system and residual optical pathlength jitter analysis.

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R. K. Barry, W. C. Danchi, L. D. Deming, L. J. Richardson, M. J. Kuchner, S. Seager, B. J. Frey, A. J. Martino, K. A. Lee, M. Zuray, J. Rajagopal, T. T. Hyde, R. Millan-Gabete, J. D. Monnier, R. J. Allen, and W. A. Traub "The Fourier-Kelvin Stellar Interferometer: a low-complexity low-cost space mission for high-resolution astronomy and direct exoplanet detection", Proc. SPIE 6265, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation I: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter, 62651L (6 July 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.672437

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