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J.W. MacKenty (STScI), NGST-MOS Study Team
NGST-MOS is a NASA funded pre-phase A study of a multi-object spectrometer for the Next Generation Space Telescope. Intended as a key element of the NGST Integrated Science Instrument Module, NGST-MOS would provide a field of view comparable to the NGST imaging field and observer definable slits well-matched to NGST's diffraction limited resolution. Based on a Micro Mirror Array (MMA) of 2048x2048 digitally controled bi-state mirrors used as a reflective slit mask, NGST-MOS would provide simultaneous spectroscopy of as many as 1000 targets over a 3'x3' field in the 0.6 to 5 micron region with spectral resolution up to 5000. Our study is examining the spectrometer and MMA designs, developing a set of tools to model performance, defining a technology roadmap to flight qualified MMA devices, and exploring the scientific merits of this concept.