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The goal is to reconstruct an image resolving surface features of an Earth‑like exoplanet around a nearby star in visible light. The innovation has two stages: first, a new kind of nulling interferometer called “dynamic hierarchical nulling” that combines inputs from multiple apertures and can separate starlight from planet light with contrast of 10^10 or better in the visible; second, combining the output beams from two such nullers on spacecraft stationed about 100 km apart to achieve the angular resolution needed for Michelson interferometric imaging. The hierarchical nuller preserves the star’s light separately in a dedicated beam that can then be used as an interference phase reference. The capability to survey surface features of Earth‑like exoplanets aligns with NASA priorities and is intended to excite broad public interest.
The scientific goal of the proposed work will be reconstructing the image, i.e. resolving surface features, of an Earth-like exoplanet around a nearby star as seen in visible light. The capability to survey the features of Earth-like exoplanets is perfectly aligned with NASA priorities and sure to excite public interest.
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This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.
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