KEYWORDS: Diffractive optical elements, Astrobiology, Telescopes, Space observatories, Planets, Space telescopes, James Webb Space Telescope, Space operations, Stars, Satellites, Optical fabrication
We describe progress on the Nautilus Space Observatory concept that is enabled by novel, very large (8.5mdiameter), ultralight-weight, multi-order diffractive lenses that can be cost-effectively replicated. The scientific goal of Nautilus is the rigorous statistical exploration of one thousand potentially life-bearing planets and the assessment of the diversity of exo-earths. Here we review the science requirements and key design features of Nautilus. The new optical technology (MODE lenses) at the heart of the Nautilus telescopes also poses exciting new optical fabrication and metrology challenges. We will summarize these challenges and provide an overview of emerging solutions.
We describe a novel space observatory concept that is enabled by very large (8.5m-diameter), ultralight-weight multi-order diffractive lenses that can be cost-effectively replicated. The observatory utilizes an array of identical telescopes with a total combined light collecting area equivalent to that of a 50m-diameter telescope. Here we review the capabilities of a Nautilus unit telescope, the observatory concept, and the technology readiness of the key components. The Nautilus Observatory is capable of surveying a thousand transiting exo-earth candidates to 300 pc for biosignatures, enabling a rigorous statistical exploration of potentially life-bearing planets and the diversity of exo-earths.
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