Design of an Infrared Interferometry Satellite: A technology demonstrator mission for DARWIN

Paper number

IAC-07-A3.1.04

Author

Mr. Kartik Kumar, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands

Coauthor

Mr. Roderik Koenders, The Netherlands

Coauthor

Jochem Roel van der Maas, The Netherlands

Coauthor

Hessel Gorter, The Netherlands

Coauthor

Coen de Visser, The Netherlands

Coauthor

Erik Masseling, The Netherlands

Coauthor

Steven Cuylle, Belgium

Year

2007

Abstract

This paper presents the preliminary design of a technology demonstrator satellite for the European Space Agency’s planet-finding mission DARWIN. The aim of the InfraRed Interferometry Satellite (IRIS) project is to demonstrate the feasibility of detecting at least ten extrasolar planets on a fixed spacecraft platform, based on nulling infrared interferometry. There is a need for a technology demonstrator mission to verify the applicability of nulling interferometry in the detection of extrasolar planets since this technology has never been deployed in space.

Attempting to visualise an extrasolar planet orbiting its parent star is like trying to discern the presence of a firefly next to a luminous lighthouse on a foggy night, from a large distance. In theory, direct visualisation of an extrasolar planet is not impossible; however it would require a large telescope. The deployment of a telescope of this size is limited by current launcher technology, hence the proposed use of nulling interferometry.

The principle of interferometry allows for the light collected by two or more smaller telescopes to be combined to simulate the resolution obtained by a single large telescope. The simulated telescope resolution corresponds to a baseline defined as the distance between the outermost telescopes. Nulling interferometry uses this principle to dim the light of the parent star and minimise the obscuration of the light of the orbiting planet.

The conditions stipulated, by the Dutch government and another sponsor, for the funding of the demonstrator mission are that it must be launched by 2010 at the latest and must be completed within a total budget of Euro 175M.

This paper reviews the IRIS project design options, evaluates the project risks and order of magnitude cost estimates associated with each of the options, the criteria used for selection of the final design option, a detailed evaluation of the chosen final design option and a risk mitigation plan to ensure that the project costs do not exceed the budget. The feasibility study is presented from a systems engineering approach.

Abstract document

IAC-07-A3.1.04.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-07-A3.1.04.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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