[Paper Review] Origins Space Telescope Mission Concept Study Report

M. Meixner, Asantha Cooray+67 more|arXiv (Cornell University)|Dec 12, 2019

Astrophysics and Star Formation StudiesPhysics and Astronomy528 references50 citations

TL;DR

This final study report details the Origins Space Telescope concept, outlining its scientific goals, design capabilities, and scope as a 2.8–588 μm, highly sensitive infrared observatory studied for the 2020 Decadal Survey.

ABSTRACT

The Origins Space Telescope (Origins) traces our cosmic history, from the formation of the first galaxies and the rise of metals to the development of habitable worlds and present-day life. Origins does this through exquisite sensitivity to infrared radiation from ions, atoms, molecules, dust, water vapor and ice, and observations of extra-solar planetary atmospheres, protoplanetary disks, and large-area extragalactic fields. Origins operates in the wavelength range 2.8 to 588 microns and is 1000 times more sensitive than its predecessors due to its large, cold (4.5 K) telescope and advanced instruments. Origins was one of four large missions studied by the community with support from NASA and industry in preparation for the 2020 Decadal Survey in Astrophysics. This is the final study report.

Motivation & Objective

• Describe the scientific motivation to trace cosmic history from first galaxies to habitable worlds.
• Define the required infrared capabilities to observe ions, atoms, molecules, dust, water vapor, and ices.
• Propose a telescope and instrument concept achieving extreme sensitivity (1000x gain) to enable broad extragalactic, planetary, and circumstellar science.
• Contextualize Origins within the 2020 NASA Decadal Survey planning and its role among large mission concepts.

Proposed method

• Specify the wavelength coverage (2.8 to 588 microns) and the need for a large, cold telescope operating at 4.5 K.
• Identify target science domains: extra-solar planetary atmospheres, protoplanetary disks, large-area extragalactic fields, and interstellar medium tracers.
• Discuss instrument concepts and sensitivity requirements that enable infrared spectroscopy and imaging at unparalleled depths.
• Present the Origins concept as one of four large missions studied with NASA and industry support for the Decadal Survey.

Experimental results

Research questions

• RQ1 What scientific capabilities and wavelength range are required to study the formation of the first galaxies and the rise of metals?
• RQ2 What telescope size, cooling, and instrument requirements are needed to achieve 1000x sensitivity improvements over predecessors?
• RQ3 How can Origins observe exoplanetary atmospheres, protoplanetary disks, and large-area extragalactic fields within mission constraints?
• RQ4 How does the Origins concept fit into the 2020 Decadal Survey planning and priorities?

Key findings

• Origins maps a path to tracing cosmic history from the first galaxies to habitable worlds through infrared observations.
• Origins operates in 2.8–588 μm with a large cold telescope and advanced instruments to achieve 1000× sensitivity gains over predecessors.
• The telescope is designed to operate at 4.5 K to enable exquisite infrared sensitivity.
• Origins was one of four large missions studied by the community with NASA and industry support for the 2020 Decadal Survey.
• This document is presented as the final study report for the Origins concept within the Mission Concept Study series.