Architectures and Technologies for a Space Telescope for Solar System Science

• Main Authors: Sayanagi, Kunio M, Young, Cindy L, Bowman, Lynn, Pitman, Joseph, Naasz, Bo, Meinke, Bonnie, Becker, Tracy, Bell, Jim, Cartwright, Richard, Chanover, Nancy, Clarke, John, Colwell, Joshua, Curry, Shannon, de Pater, Imke, Delory, Gregory, Feaga, Lori, Fletcher, Leigh N, Greathouse, Thomas, Hendrix, Amanda, Holler, Bryan J, Holsclaw, Gregory, Jessup, Kandis L, Kelley, Michael S. P, Lillis, Robert, Lopes, Rosaly M. C, Luhmann, Janet, MacDonnell, David, Marchis, Franck, McGrath, Melissa, Milam, Stephanie, Peralta, Javier, Poston, Michael J, Retherford, Kurt, Schneider, Nicholas, Siegmund, Oswald, Spencer, John, VervackJr, Ronald J, Vilas, Faith, Wishnow, Edward, Wong, Michael H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 15.08.2020
• Subjects: Physics - Earth and Planetary Astrophysics; Physics - Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics
• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2008.06816

We advocate for a mission concept study for a space telescope dedicated to solar system science in Earth orbit. Such a study was recommended by the Committee on Astrobiology and Planetary Science (CAPS) report "Getting Ready for the Next Planetary Science Decadal Survey." The Mid-Decadal Review also recommended NASA to assess the role and value of space telescopes for planetary science. The need for high-resolution, UV-Visible capabilities is especially acute for planetary science with the impending end of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST); however, NASA has not funded a planetary telescope concept study, and the need to assess its value remains. Here, we present potential design options that should be explored to inform the decadal survey.