Breakthrough capability for UVOIR space astronomy: reaching the darkest sky

Matthew A. Greenhouse; Scott W. Benson; Jacob Englander; Robert D. Falck; Dale J. Fixsen; Jonathan P. Gardner; Jeffrey W. Kruk; Steven R. Oleson; Harley A. Thronson

doi:10.1117/12.2055340

2 August 2014 Breakthrough capability for UVOIR space astronomy: reaching the darkest sky

Matthew A. Greenhouse, Scott W. Benson, Jacob Englander, Robert D. Falck, Dale J. Fixsen, Jonathan P. Gardner, Jeffrey W. Kruk, Steven R. Oleson, Harley A. Thronson

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 9143, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2014: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter Wave; 914317 (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2055340
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2014, Montréal, Quebec, Canada

Abstract

We describe how availability of new solar electric propulsion (SEP) technology can substantially increase the science capability of space astronomy missions working within the near-UV to far-infrared (UVOIR) spectrum by making dark sky orbits accessible for the first time. We present two case studies in which SEP is used to enable a 700 kg Explorer-class and 7000 kg flagship-class observatory payload to reach an orbit beyond where the zodiacal dust limits observatory sensitivity. The resulting scientific performance advantage relative to a Sun-Earth L2 point (SEL2) orbit is presented and discussed. We find that making SEP available to astrophysics Explorers can enable this small payload program to rival the science performance of much larger long development-time systems. Similarly, we find that astrophysics utilization of high power SEP being developed for the Asteroid Redirect Robotics Mission (ARRM) can have a substantial impact on the sensitivity performance of heavier flagship-class astrophysics payloads such as the UVOIR successor to the James Webb Space Telescope.

Citation Download Citation

Matthew A. Greenhouse, Scott W. Benson, Jacob Englander, Robert D. Falck, Dale J. Fixsen, Jonathan P. Gardner, Jeffrey W. Kruk, Steven R. Oleson, and Harley A. Thronson "Breakthrough capability for UVOIR space astronomy: reaching the darkest sky", Proc. SPIE 9143, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2014: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter Wave, 914317 (2 August 2014); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2055340

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

;

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available

Members: $17.00

Non-members: $21.00 ADD TO CART

PROCEEDINGS
19 PAGES

DOWNLOAD PAPER SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

GET CITATION

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Get copyright permission Get copyright permission on Copyright Marketplace

KEYWORDS

Astrophysics

Space telescopes

Astronomy

James Webb Space Telescope

Observatories

Space operations

Telecommunications

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years