System design and technology development for the Terrestrial Planet Finder infrared interferometer

Gary H. Blackwood; Eugene Serabyn; Serge Dubovitsky; MiMi Aung; Steven M. Gunter; Curt Henry

doi:10.1117/12.521311

19 November 2003 System design and technology development for the Terrestrial Planet Finder infrared interferometer

Gary H. Blackwood, Eugene Serabyn, Serge Dubovitsky, MiMi Aung, Steven M. Gunter, Curt Henry

Proceedings Volume 5170, Techniques and Instrumentation for Detection of Exoplanets; (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.521311
Event: Optical Science and Technology, SPIE's 48th Annual Meeting, 2003, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

This paper describes the technical program that will demonstrate the viability of two mid-infrared nulling interferometer architectures for the Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF) to support a mission concept downselect in 2006 between a nulling interferometer and a visible coronagraph. The TPF science objectives are to survey a statistically significant number of nearby solar-type stars for radiation from terrestrial planets, to characterize these planets and to perform spectroscopy for detection of biomarkers. A 4-telescope, 36-m Structurally-Connected Interferometer using a dual-chopped Bracewell nuller will meet the minimum science requirement to completely survey at least 30 nearby stars and partially survey 120 others. A Formation-Flying Interferometer is being designed to meet the full science requirement to completely survey at least 150 stars, and involves a trade between dual-chopped Bracewell, degenerate Angel Cross, and the Darwin bow-tie configuration. The system engineering trades for the connected structure and formation-flying architectures are described. The top technical concerns for these architectures are mapped to technology developments that will retire these concerns prior to the project downselect.

Citation Download Citation

Gary H. Blackwood, Eugene Serabyn, Serge Dubovitsky, MiMi Aung, Steven M. Gunter, and Curt Henry "System design and technology development for the Terrestrial Planet Finder infrared interferometer", Proc. SPIE 5170, Techniques and Instrumentation for Detection of Exoplanets, (19 November 2003); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.521311

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