Article (Scientific journals)
Exoplanet detection yield of a space-based Bracewell interferometer from small to medium satellites
Dandumont, Colin; Defrere, Denis; Kammerer, Jens et al.
2020In Journal of Astronomical Telescopes, Instruments, and Systems, 6 (3)
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Keywords :
Nulling interferometry; Satellites; exoplanets; Astronomy; Space; space optics
Abstract :
[en] Space-based nulling interferometry is one of the most promising solutions to spectrally characterize the atmosphere of rocky exoplanets in the mid-infrared (3 to 20  μm). It provides both high angular resolution and starlight mitigation. This observing capability depends on several technologies. A CubeSat (up to 20 kg) or a medium satellite (up to a few hundreds of kg), using a Bracewell architecture on a single spacecraft could be an adequate technological precursor to a larger, flagship mission. Beyond technical challenges, the scientific return of such a small-scale mission needs to be assessed. We explore the exoplanet science cases for various missions (several satellite configurations and sizes). Based on physical parameters (diameter and wavelength) and thanks to a state-of-the-art planet population synthesis tool, the performance and the possible exoplanet detection yield of these configurations are presented. Without considering platform stability constraints, a CubeSat (baseline of b  ≃  1  m and pupils diameter of D  ≃  0.1  m) could detect ≃7 Jovian exoplanets, a small satellite (b  ≃  5  m  /  D  ≃  0.25  m) ≃120 exoplanets, whereas a medium satellite (b  ≃  12.5  m  /  D  ≃  0.5  m) could detect ∼250 exoplanets including 51 rocky planets within 20 pc. To complete our study, an analysis of the platform stability constraints (tip/tilt and optical path difference) is performed. Exoplanet studies impose very stringent requirements on both tip/tilt and OPD control.
Research center :
CSL - Centre Spatial de Liège - ULiège
Disciplines :
Space science, astronomy & astrophysics
Author, co-author :
Dandumont, Colin  ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > CSL (Centre Spatial de Liège)
Defrere, Denis ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > CSL (Centre Spatial de Liège)
Kammerer, Jens;  Australian National University > Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics
Absil, Olivier  ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'astrophys., géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > PSILab
Quanz, Sascha P.;  Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich - ETHZ > Institute for Particle Physics and Astrophysics
Loicq, Jerôme ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > CSL (Centre Spatial de Liège)
Language :
English
Title :
Exoplanet detection yield of a space-based Bracewell interferometer from small to medium satellites
Publication date :
23 September 2020
Journal title :
Journal of Astronomical Telescopes, Instruments, and Systems
ISSN :
2329-4124
eISSN :
2329-4221
Publisher :
SPIE, United States - Washington
Volume :
6
Issue :
3
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
European Projects :
H2020 - 730890 - OPTICON - Optical Infrared Coordination Network for Astronomy
Funders :
National Centre for Competence in Research PlanetS
ULiège - Université de Liège [BE]
European Union’s Horizon2020 research and Innovation Program
CE - Commission Européenne [BE]
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since 24 September 2020

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