Technology gap assessment for a future large-aperture ultraviolet-optical-infrared space telescope

Area of Science:

• Astronomy and Astrophysics
• Exoplanetary Science

Background:

• The NASA Astrophysics 30-year roadmap, "Enduring Quests, Daring Visions," outlines ambitious goals for future space observatories.
• The Advanced Technology Large Aperture Space Telescope (ATLAST) team is instrumental in defining the technological requirements for these future missions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and assess key technologies required for a future large-aperture ultraviolet/optical/infrared (LUVOIR) space observatory.
• To define the technology gap by comparing required capabilities with the current state-of-the-art for critical components.

Main Methods:

• Identification of five key technology areas: internal coronagraphs, starshades, ultra-stable large-aperture telescope systems, detectors, and mirror coatings.
• Assessment of current capabilities, state-of-the-art performance, and Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) for each area.
• Review of current, planned, and recommended development efforts to reach TRL 5 for each technology.

Main Results:

• Detailed analysis of the technology gap for each of the five critical areas.
• Estimation of required capabilities versus current performance for enabling LUVOIR architectures.
• Documentation of technology development efforts aimed at achieving TRL 5.

Conclusions:

• The identified technologies are essential for achieving the science goals of LUVOIR, including general astrophysics and exoplanet characterization.
• Targeted technology development is necessary to bridge the identified gaps and enable future large-aperture space telescopes.
• Progress towards TRL 5 in these key areas is crucial for the realization of next-generation space observatories.