SIM-Planetquest Mission: Overview and Current Status

Paper number

IAC-05-A3.1.04

Author

Mr. James C. Marr, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, United States

Year

2005

Abstract

The SIM-PlanetQuest Mission will be the first, in-space, long-baseline Michelson Stellar Interferometer.  SIM-PlanetQuest will perform precision astrometry at the micro-arcsecond accuracy level, which will be used to characterize planetary systems around stars within ten parsecs of the Sun and address a number of other key issues in astrophysics.  This paper provides a broad overview of the SIM-PlanetQuest Mission, covering: science objectives, key top level requirements, how the mission will be implemented (technical and programmatic), technology development status, an assessment of where the project is today, and prognosis for the future.  SIM-PlanetQuest supports the U.S. Vision for Exploration and is supported by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences.

Keywords:interferometer, interferometry, planet finding, planetquest, astrophysics, space, astrometry, SIM, Michelson, Navigator Program

Abstract document

IAC-05-A3.1.04.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-05-A3.1.04.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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