[FPSPACE] DARWIN mission proposal to ESA

[LARRY KLAES]

DARWIN mission proposal to ESA

Authors: Alain Leger, Tom Herbst, et al

(Submitted on 23 Jul 2007)

Abstract: The discovery of extra-solar planets is one of the greatest 
achievements of modern astronomy. There are now more than 200 such objects 
known, and the recent detection of planets with masses approximately 5 times 
that of Earth demonstrates that extra-solar planets of low mass exist. In 
addition to providing a wealth of scientific information on the formation 
and structure of planetary systems, these discoveries capture the interest 
of both scientists and the wider public with the profound prospect of the 
search for life in the Universe. We propose an L-type mission, called 
Darwin, whose primary goal is the study of terrestrial extrasolar planets 
and the search for life on them. By its very nature, Darwin advances the 
first Grand Theme of ESA Cosmic Vision. Accomplishing the mission objectives 
will require collaborative science across disciplines ranging from planet 
formation and atmospheres to chemistry and biology, and these disciplines 
will reap profound rewards from their contributions to the Darwin mission.

Comments:  This a compressed version of the DARWIN mission proposal to ESA 
for its "Cosmic Vision" 2015-2025 program A full resolution version can be 
obtained from the Web site indicated on the cover page

Subjects:  Astrophysics (astro-ph)

Cite as:  arXiv:0707.3385v1 [astro-ph]

Submission history

From: Alain Leger [view email]

[v1] Mon, 23 Jul 2007 14:21:16 GMT (973kb)

http://arxiv.org/abs/0707.3385