New Worlds Observer tolerance overview

摘要

New Worlds Observer (NOW) is a formation flying mission that combines a starshade with a telescope to study Earth-like exoplanets around neighboring stars. The general architecture consists of a telescope and detector that share one spacecraft platform pointed toward a nearby solar system. Planets in the solar system are revealed by blocking the bright star with a starshade, on its own spacecraft, positioned between the telescope and its target. Questions arise regarding the type of precision, tolerances, and diffraction control required when considering the practicality of such an endeavor. We address the generalities here by presenting an overview of requirements necessary for this type of system. Basic tolerances are described at both the mission and starshade level.