Single Aperture Large Telescope for Universe Studies (SALTUS): Science Overview

TL;DR

The SALTUS mission proposes a 14-meter deployable space telescope with advanced cooling and instrumentation to explore cosmic origins and potential extraterrestrial life through far-infrared observations.

Contribution

It introduces an innovative deployable 14-m aperture telescope with cryogenic cooling and broad far-IR spectral coverage for space-based cosmic studies.

Findings

Deployable 14-m aperture design enables high-resolution far-IR observations.

Cryogenic cooling achieves primary mirror temperatures below 45K.

Broad spectral range (34-660 microns) facilitates diverse astrophysical investigations.

Abstract

The SALTUS Probe mission will provide a powerful far-infrared (far-IR) pointed space observatory to explore our cosmic origins and the possibility of life elsewhere. The observatory employs an innovative deployable 14-m aperture, with a sunshield that will radiatively cool the off-axis primary to <45K. This cooled primary reflector works in tandem with cryogenic coherent and incoherent instruments that span the 34 to 660 micron far-IR range at both high and moderate spectral resolutions.