1. Pyxis: A ground-based demonstrator for formation-flying optical interferometry
- Author
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Hansen, Jonah T., Wade, Samuel, Ireland, Michael J., Travouillon, Tony D., Lagadec, Tiphaine, Herrald, Nicholas, Mathew, Joice, Monty, Stephanie, and Rains, Adam D.
- Subjects
Astrophysics - Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics ,Astrophysics - Earth and Planetary Astrophysics - Abstract
In the past few years, there has been a resurgence in studies towards space-based optical/infrared interferometry, particularly with the vision to use the technique to discover and characterise temperate Earth-like exoplanets around solar analogues. One of the key technological leaps needed to make such a mission feasible is demonstrating that formation flying precision at the level needed for interferometry is possible. Here, we present $\textit{Pyxis}$, a ground-based demonstrator for a future small satellite mission with the aim to demonstrate the precision metrology needed for space-based interferometry. We describe the science potential of such a ground-based instrument, and detail the various subsystems: three six-axis robots, a multi-stage metrology system, an integrated optics beam combiner and the control systems required for the necessary precision and stability. We end by looking towards the next stage of $\textit{Pyxis}$: a collection of small satellites in Earth orbit., Comment: 31 Pages, 15 Figures, accepted to JATIS
- Published
- 2023