Future Astrometric Space Missions for Exoplanet Science

TL;DR

This paper discusses future space-based astrometric missions capable of detecting Earth-like exoplanets by achieving sub-microarcsecond precision, presenting concepts like STARE, NEAT, and THEIA for different scientific goals.

Contribution

It introduces and compares multiple innovative mission concepts designed to enable high-precision astrometry for exoplanet detection and dark matter studies.

Findings

Concepts demonstrate various strategies for achieving high-precision astrometry.

Mission designs target nearby stellar systems for habitable planet detection.

Proposed missions could significantly advance understanding of habitability and life distribution.

Abstract

High-precision astrometry at the sub-microarcsecond level opens up a window to study Earth-like planets in the habitable zones of Sun-like stars, and to determine their masses. It thus promises to play an important role in exoplanet science in the future. However, such precision can only be acquired from space, and requires dedicated instrumentation for a sufficient astrometric calibration. Here we present a series of concepts designed for handling this task. STARE is a small satellite concept dedicated to finding planets in the very nearest stellar systems, which offers a low-cost option toward the study of habitable planets. The NEAT concept is a set of two formation-flying satellites with the aim to survey the 200 nearest Sun-like stars for Earths in the habitable zone. Finally, THEIA is a proposal for an ESA M-class mission, with a single-unit telescope designed for both dark matter studies as well as a survey for habitable Earth-like planets among the 50 nearest stars. The concepts illustrate various possible paths and strategies for achieving exquisite astrometric performance, and thereby addressing key scientific questions regarding the distribution of habitability and life in the universe.