Coronagraphic space telescopes for imaging Earth-like exoplanets, such as the projected Habitable Worlds Observatory, will require extraordinary optical stability, with wavefront drift performance measured in the picometers. This paper considers how active means, using sensing and control subsystems, can control the entire coronagraphic beam train, from the telescope’s segmented primary mirror, through the coronagraph’s deformable mirrors, to stabilize the electric field in the coronagraph. Integrated telescope and coronagraph models are used to show how this can work to preserve contrast at the 10-10 level and provide important observational efficiencies. In future work, the models will also be used to identify needed performance levels for the various control system components, to help inform NASA’s technology funding priorities.
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