Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
Jan 2009
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009aas...21323403m&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting #213, #234.03; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 41, p.506
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Scientific paper
SIM Lite is a micro-arcsecond astrometry space mission under development for the past 12 years which has been adversely impacted by significant changes in NASA priorities over the last two years. The project team responded by investigating alternative mission concepts based upon the original SIM PlanetQuest designs and its supporting technology program that was completed in 2005. Several alternative mission concepts have been identified, including a planets-only version, and a simpler variant of SIM PlanetQuest called SIM Lite, which still addresses the full breadth of SIM science envisioned by two previous Decadal Surveys. This talk describes the new SIM Lite mission concept, including: key differences from SIM PlanetQuest, science objectives, key science assessment results, key top level requirements, how the mission will be implemented, technology development status, an assessment of where the project is today, and future prospects. SIM Lite, a key element of the NASA Exoplanet Exploration Program, directly supports the AAAC ExoPlanet Task Force recommendation that the next in-space planet finding mission be a micro-arcesond astrometry mission, launched by mid-decade, capable of detecting habitable zone terrestrial planets around nearby Sun-like stars. In addition SIM Lite provides a broad micro-arcsecond astrophysics program in the faint, high precision regime not reachable by any other mission in development or currently planned.
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