Modern Universe Space Telescope Visions 2003 Proposal Dennis Ebbets Ball Aerospace UV Optical Space Telescope Workshop STScI February 26, 2004

We learned this week that our proposal has been selected Jim Green – PI John Bally Bob Brown Dennis Ebbets Wendy Freedman John Grunsfeld John Huchra Steve Kilston Jon Morse Bob O’Connell Mike Shull Ossy Siegmund Erik Wilkinson The proposal for the Visions 2003 opportunity had heritage in the SUVO concept that had been discussed in previous workshops and white papers. A 10m class space telescope optimized for UV & optical observing.

Products of the proposed study Scientific rationale Instrument capabilities Baseline instruments Baseline mission architecture Astronaut servicing Risk elements Safety aspects

Four fundamental scientific themes will drive the study How are heavy elements created and distributed through the modern universe? How are modern galaxies assembled, and how do they evolve? How do stars and planetary systems form, and how does this impact their likelihood of supporting life? Where are the baryons in the modern universe, and how are they distributed?

We offered to include the larger UV optical community in the study Workshop at June AAS meeting in Denver Telecons Other white papers, reports Communication with team members

Candidate observing programs will establish science requirements Wavelength range Field of view, field of regard Angular resolution Observing modes –Imaging, bandpasses –Spectroscopy, spectral resolution –Coronography, angular regimes, contrast Sensitivity, S/N Data rates and volumes Mission lifetime

Trade study will identify at least one credible telescope architecture Monolithic, segmented Deployable, assembled in space Filled, annular, sparse apertures Prescription Physical size Alignment, phase control, LOS stabilization Materials, coatings Structures, mechanisms Manufacturing, I&T issues

Imaging needs will define requirements on cameras Fields of view Wavelength ranges and resolutions Spatial resolution Multiplexing approaches –Field sharing (HST, SST) –Wavelength splitting (JWST NIRCAM) –Detector sharing (STIS) Sensitivity & S/N

Science goals will suggest spectroscopic capabilities Wavelength range Spectral resolution Spatial resolution Multi-object capability Integral field capability Sensitivity & S/N

The scientific potential of a coronagraph will be evaluated Scientific applications to galactic nuclei, circumstellar environments, exoplanets Inner and outer working angles Contrast needed Implications for optical design, figure quality, wave-front accuracy

Opportunities for advancements in detector technology Identify how detector performance (QE, noise) enters into system performance trades. Physical sizes required, number of pixels Photon counting vs integrating, photocathode materials, readout approaches

Orbit, launcher, size, operations, lifetime trades LEO, low & high inclination, ISS Geosynchronous Non-synchronous HEO, molniya, Chandra Heliocentric, L2, drift-away Lunar

An interesting challenge will be to think about how NASA’s exploration theme affects this mission Launch vehicle availability ISS, astronaut involvement New technologies for robotic operations, power, communications might become available Other infrastructure issues Where will this kind of astrophysics fit into NASA’s mission and planning?