HabEx Space Telescope Guiding Systems

Abstract

The HabEx (Habitable Exoplanet Imaging Mission) study is developing concepts for a next generation space telescope operating from the ultraviolet to the infrared. HabEx is making exoplanet science the primary mission objective and adding two secondary payload instruments for general astrophysics, including ultraviolet spectroscopy. For exoplanet work, two approaches are being developed. The first is a coronagraph with two separate channels to cover a broad spectral range from 450 nm to 1000 nm in two observations. The second is a starshade to cover the band 300 nm to 1000 nm in a single observation. These instruments are complementary; the coronagraph can make rapid survey observations while the starshade can reach closer in to the star and once on target, enables more efficient spectroscopic observations. This paper describes some of the key design considerations necessary to enable coronagraph and starshade observations.