Optical instrumentation for science and formation flying with a starshade observatory

Stefan Martin; Daniel Scharf; Eric Cady; Carl Liebe; Hong Tang

doi:10.1117/12.2189562

16 September 2015 Optical instrumentation for science and formation flying with a starshade observatory

Stefan Martin, Daniel Scharf, Eric Cady, Carl Liebe, Hong Tang

Proceedings Volume 9605, Techniques and Instrumentation for Detection of Exoplanets VII; 96050X (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2189562
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2015, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

In conjunction with a space telescope of modest size, a starshade enables observation of small exoplanets close to the parent star by blocking the direct starlight while the planet light remains unobscured. The starshade is flown some tens of thousands of kilometers ahead of the telescope. Science instruments may include a wide field camera for imaging the target exoplanetary system as well as an integral field spectrometer for characterization of exoplanet atmospheres. We show the preliminary designs of the optical instruments for observatories such as Exo-S, discuss formation flying and control, retargeting maneuvers and other aspects of a starshade mission. The implementation of a starshade-ready WFIRST-AFTA is discussed and we show how a compact, standalone instrument package could be developed as an add-on to future space telescopes, requiring only minor additions to the telescope spacecraft.

Citation Download Citation

Stefan Martin, Daniel Scharf, Eric Cady, Carl Liebe, and Hong Tang "Optical instrumentation for science and formation flying with a starshade observatory", Proc. SPIE 9605, Techniques and Instrumentation for Detection of Exoplanets VII, 96050X (16 September 2015); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2189562

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