WFIRST-AFTA Coronagraphic Operations: Lessons Learned from the Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope

TL;DR

This paper reviews operational lessons from HST and JWST to inform the development and operation of the upcoming WFIRST-AFTA coronagraph, focusing on key aspects like detector health, wavefront control, and astrometry.

Contribution

It identifies critical operational aspects for the WFIRST-AFTA coronagraph and offers recommendations based on lessons learned from HST and JWST.

Findings

Key operational aspects identified for WFIRST-AFTA coronagraph

Lessons from HST and JWST inform future operational strategies

Recommendations provided for detector health, wavefront control, and more

Abstract

The coronagraphic instrument currently proposed for the WFIRST-AFTA mission will be the first example of a space-based coronagraph optimized for extremely high contrasts that are required for the direct imaging of exoplanets reflecting the light of their host star. While the design of this instrument is still in progress, this early stage of development is a particularly beneficial time to consider the operation of such an instrument. In this paper, we review current or planned operations on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) with a focus on which operational aspects will have relevance to the planned WFIRST-AFTA coronagraphic instrument. We identify five key aspects of operations that will require attention: 1) detector health and evolution, 2) wavefront control, 3) observing strategies/post-processing, 4) astrometric precision/target acquisition, and 5) polarimetry. We make suggestions on a path forward for each of these items.