Multi-Star Wavefront Control: Continued development and maturation for Roman CGI and Astro2020 flagship

We propose to continue the technology advancement of Multi-Star Wavefront Control (MSWC), which is currently in the final year of a round 2 ISFM. MSWC is a method to directly image planets and disks in multi-star systems such as a Centauri. This method works with almost any coronagraph, and requires relatively little or no change to existing coronagraphs and wavefront control systems. It also enables high contrast imaging beyond the traditional outer working angle of a deformable mirror, allowing imaging of more widely separated multi-star systems, larger disks, and wider planetary systems than would otherwise be possible around single stars. It is compatible with both coronagraphic as well as external starshade missions, as long as the telescope has a deformable mirror. Our round 1 ISFM matured MSWC to TRL4, and is on track to mature it to early TRL5. With this ISFM continuation, we are proposing to further mature MSWC. Specifically, our goals are: (1) advance MSWC to TRL5+ for Roman CGI; (2) advance MSWC to TRL5 for the Astro2020-recommended flagship (IR/O/UV); and (3) Define the potential observations and science enabled by MSWC on Roman CGI and Astro2020 IR/O/UV flagship. We aim to achieve these goals by demonstrating high contrast milestones at two testbeds at JPL’s High Contrast Imaging Testbed, coupled with validated models, and science simulations. The laboratory tests will be conducted at the Occulting Mask Coronagraph testbed (OMC, for Roman CGI) and Decadal Survey Testbed (DST, for IR/O/UV mission). We will build on our prior tests, but advance to the next performance level, as well as use a full binary source as well as mission-specific pupils and coronagraph architectures. Our work also introduces a new component to create a tighter coupling between science simulations and lab performance, by comparing lab data to simulations via Bayesian statistical parameter exploration.

The Internal Scientist Funding Model (ISFM) is a recently established direct-funding model after 3 years of pilot program, now established as permanent, whereby APD funds technology development work by NASA scientists through a separate channel than competed programs like APRA. APD may find it advisable to directly fund certain technology-development projects, e.g., for programmatic reasons such as ensuring NASA meets commitments made to international partners including the European Space Agency (ESA). Another reason may be to optimize the scientific and technological output of NASA scientists and technology developers.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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