We present the concept of using an orbiting laser as a coherent optical reference to phase a several kilometer diameter array of ground-based lasers designed to accelerate interstellar nano-spacecraft to 20% light-speed using laser propulsion. We investigate the geometrical and temporal constraints for the initial case of the target star Proxima b in the Alpha Centauri system using a laser ground site in the southern hemisphere. Based on these constraints, we detail requirements for the mission architecture for an orbiting laser to be used as an optical reference. We then present two orbits that can meet all given requirements and represent a range of engagement times and days between engagements. We also present a range of orbits with periods from 3 to 4 days and engagement times from 660 to 800 s. If desired, the orbit can be matched to the sidereal day, so each orbit period, the beacon can align with the ground station and the same target star without maneuvers. A discussion of the tradeoff between the Earth-based site latitude, time on engagement, and days between engagements is presented.
In this paper, we establish the mission operation concept for the Orbiting Configurable Artificial Star mission, a hybrid space-ground observatory, which aims to enable ground observations of near-diffraction limited resolution and exquisite sensitivity. We present the mission requirements, introduce a potential orbit solution that can meet them, detail the concrete operational steps to be taken to enable such observations, and develop a mission planning tool which generates a mission schedule that meets all mission requirements and can be altered in real time in the case of disruptions to the mission. Finally, we show the the mission could enable 300 adaptive optics and 1500 flux calibration observations throughout its lifetime.
KEYWORDS: Stars, Exoplanets, Telescopes, Signal to noise ratio, Sun, Space operations, Planets, Optimization (mathematics), Large telescopes, Detection and tracking algorithms
We present optimized observation schedules for a distributed configuration of the Remote Occulter Mission. Accounting for refueling rounds, we show that an Earth-orbiting Remote Occulter could enable up to 158 ground-based observations of 80 exoplanetary targets in a mission lifetime. We develop two target lists, provide exposure time estimates for each potential target star, present an analytic approach for determining target observability, and estimate the cost of station-keeping and retargeting maneuvers required to maintain such a mission. We optimize the mission observation schedule over these cost and science delivery estimates using deterministic and metaheuristic optimization methods with varying degrees of operator intervention and conclude by assessing mission profile sensitivity to both isolated and accumulated cost and design perturbations.
We present the optical requirement-driven observational constraints of the Remote Occulter, an orbiting starshade designed to work with ground-based telescopes to produce visible-band images and spectra of temperate planets around Sun-like stars. We then utilize these constraints to develop and present numerical simulations of time-dependent observable sky regions along with each region’s nightly available exposure duration and show that nearly the entire sky could be observed for up to 8 h a night. We further examine how changes introduced to our established constraints will impact such observational windows and discuss their implications, setting the ground for upcoming studies aiming to further investigate the Remote Occulter mission capabilities and architecture.
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