Far infrared interferometer technology reference study

Paper number

IAC-06-A3.1.05

Author

Mr. Aleksander Lyngvi, European Space Agency (ESA)/ESTEC, The Netherlands

Coauthor

Dr. Göran Pilbratt, European Space Agency (ESA)/ESTEC, The Netherlands

Coauthor

Mr. Nicola Rando, European Space Agency (ESA)/ESTEC, The Netherlands

Coauthor

Dr. Timo Prusti, European Space Agency (ESA)/ESTEC, The Netherlands

Year

2006

Abstract

A Far Infrared mission was identified as a potential future project for Europe within the frame of the 2015-2025 Cosmic Vision program. This was based on a massive response by the Science Community in October 2005 to ESA’s call for themes in space science. Such a mission would be a natural follow on from the Herschel mission due to be launched in 2008. This potential future mission would typically investigate formation and evolution of stars and planetary systems and the formation and evolution of galaxies.

In order to meet the scientific objectives a sensitive telescope with angular resolution of less than 1 arcsecond will be required. The wavelength range would be between about 25 - 500 microns. Initial studies show that to achieve the high angular resolution at these wavelengths, an interferometer with a baseline of more than 30 m is needed. 

To investigate the feasibility of such an interferometer the Science Payload \& Advanced Concepts Office (SCI-A) at ESA has initiated a Far Infrared Interferometer (FIRI) Technology Reference Study (TRS). The TRS aims to establish a feasible mission concept in which critical aspects of the mission are investigated and requirements for future technology developments are identified. The FIRI TRS concept envisages a single spacecraft interferometer performing direct detection by using two cryogenically cooled mirrors located at the opposite sides of a long boom. As FIRI will perform direct detection, beam-combiner optics is required between these two mirrors. 

Clearly the design of this interferometer is very challenging and many innovative solutions are needed in order to demonstrate the technical feasibility of FIRI. Of particular importance is the cryogenic system, the design of the mechanisms and the boom, the configuration in the launch fairing and the telescope design. In this paper the results of the FIRI TRS will be presented with a preliminary overview of the mission and the spacecraft design. A specific emphasis will be on critical subsystems and on required future technology development activities.

Abstract document

IAC-06-A3.1.05.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-06-A3.1.05.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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