Work related to Darwin at the European Space Agency (2001-2002)

Within ESA the scientific groups are funded by the individual space agencies (one for each country), and ESA then essentially funds the technology. Even the instruments onboard our spacecraft are usually (but not exclusively, eg. HIPPARCOS) funded nationally. The science teams that are elected to support ESA are payed only subsistence/travel. If they do something fundamental, such as providing the mission scientist, then they are payed in observing time. Occasionally, ESA issues a consultancy contract for a special purpose, such as Bertrand Mennesson's work. Now, however, the industry partners must usually set up a science support activity and that is of course funded by them but with the money ESA provides.

National funding efforts explicitly for Darwin are found in Paris (A. Leger, IAS), Madrid (C. Eiroa, EXPORT), Stockholm (R. Liseau, Stockholm Obs) and by SRON in the Netherlands. There are some more things which hover on the borderline between industrial and national funding such as achromatic phase shifter work being performed at CERGA.

That being said, the following is now underway

Nulling

• Nulling interferometry breadboarding activities:
  1. Alcatel/CERGA/Grenoble
  2. Astrium Germany/TU Wien
• In preparation are:
  1. Acromatic phase shifters -- this year
  2. delay lines -- next year
• High precision optical metrology Astrium France and a cast of thousands
• 4 separate contracts on optical components -- next year
• 2 separate contracts for a parallel industrial assessment study for GENIE (Groundbased European Nulling Interferometer Experiment) for VLTI/Darwin collaboration. This will be followed by GENIE itself with phase B beginning towards the end of next year.

Formation Flying

• Interferometer constellation control
  1. Astrium France and a cast of thousands
• Formation flying RF subsystem
  1. Being issued
• Satellite deployment Control for interferometry
  1. Being issued
• 5 contracts on low thrust propulsion systems and control

Detectors and Sun Shield

• Detectors ITT gone out still open
• Sorption cooler 4K
  1. RAL
• Solar array sun shield ITT being prepared

Sometime towards the end of next year (2002) ESA will have a review of the programs and can then provide a more complete list.

SMART-2

(Courtesy of Malcolm Fridlund)