Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE · 2009 · 29 citations · 0 references
Natural SciencesAstronomyPhysicsAstrophysicsPlanetary AstronomyPlanetary ScienceObservational AstrophysicsPlanetary AstrophysicsPlanetary ExplorationSolar AstrophysicsSolar System AstronomySpace ExplorationMission Concept DevelopmentPlanetary Mission Design
We present the results of the Astrophysics Strategic Mission Concept Study for the New Worlds Observer (NWO). We show that the use of starshades is the most effective and affordable path to mapping and understanding our neighboring planetary systems, to opening the search for life outside our solar system, while serving the needs of the greater astronomy community. A starshade-based mission can be implemented immediately with a near term program of technology demonstration.