The New Worlds Observer: the astrophysics strategic mission concept study

Webster Cash; Stephen Kendrick; Charley Noecker; John Bally; Julia DeMarines; James Green; Phillip Oakley; Ann Shipley; Scott Benson; Steve Oleson; David Content; Dave Folta; Sharon Garrison; Keith Gendreau; Kate Hartman; Joseph Howard; Tupper Hyde; Darryl Lakins; Jesse Leitner; Douglas Leviton; Rich Luquette; Bill Oegerley; Karen Richon; Aki Roberge; Steve Tompkins; June Tveekrem; Bruce Woodgate; Margaret Turnbull; Dean Dailey; Kent Decker; Reza Dehmohseni; Brian Gaugh; Tiffany Glassman; Mickey Haney; Reem Hejal; Charles Lillie; Amy Lo; David O'Conner; Gina Oleas; Ronald Polidan; Rocco Samuele; Stephen Shields; James Shirvanian; David SooHoo; Giovanna Tinetti; Bryan Dorland; Rachel Dudik; Ralph Gaume; Brian Mason

doi:10.1117/12.827486

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26 August 2009 The New Worlds Observer: the astrophysics strategic mission concept study

Webster Cash, Stephen Kendrick, Charley Noecker, John Bally, Julia DeMarines, James Green, Phillip Oakley, Ann Shipley, Scott Benson, Steve Oleson, David Content, Dave Folta, Sharon Garrison, Keith Gendreau, Kate Hartman, Joseph Howard, Tupper Hyde, Darryl Lakins, Jesse Leitner, Douglas Leviton, Rich Luquette, Bill Oegerley, Karen Richon, Aki Roberge, Steve Tompkins, June Tveekrem, Bruce Woodgate, Margaret Turnbull, Dean Dailey, Kent Decker, Reza Dehmohseni, Brian Gaugh, Tiffany Glassman, Mickey Haney, Reem Hejal, Charles Lillie, Amy Lo, David O'Conner, Gina Oleas, Ronald Polidan, Rocco Samuele, Stephen Shields, James Shirvanian, David SooHoo, Giovanna Tinetti, Bryan Dorland, Rachel Dudik, Ralph Gaume, Brian Mason

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 7436, UV/Optical/IR Space Telescopes: Innovative Technologies and Concepts IV; 743606 (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.827486
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2009, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

We present the results of the Astrophysics Strategic Mission Concept Study for the New Worlds Observer (NWO). We show that the use of starshades is the most effective and affordable path to mapping and understanding our neighboring planetary systems, to opening the search for life outside our solar system, while serving the needs of the greater astronomy community. A starshade-based mission can be implemented immediately with a near term program of technology demonstration.

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Webster Cash, Stephen Kendrick, Charley Noecker, John Bally, Julia DeMarines, James Green, Phillip Oakley, Ann Shipley, Scott Benson, Steve Oleson, David Content, Dave Folta, Sharon Garrison, Keith Gendreau, Kate Hartman, Joseph Howard, Tupper Hyde, Darryl Lakins, Jesse Leitner, Douglas Leviton, Rich Luquette, Bill Oegerley, Karen Richon, Aki Roberge, Steve Tompkins, June Tveekrem, Bruce Woodgate, Margaret Turnbull, Dean Dailey, Kent Decker, Reza Dehmohseni, Brian Gaugh, Tiffany Glassman, Mickey Haney, Reem Hejal, Charles Lillie, Amy Lo, David O'Conner, Gina Oleas, Ronald Polidan, Rocco Samuele, Stephen Shields, James Shirvanian, David SooHoo, Giovanna Tinetti, Bryan Dorland, Rachel Dudik, Ralph Gaume, and Brian Mason "The New Worlds Observer: the astrophysics strategic mission concept study", Proc. SPIE 7436, UV/Optical/IR Space Telescopes: Innovative Technologies and Concepts IV, 743606 (26 August 2009); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.827486

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