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C.V.M. Fridlund (Space Science Department, European Space Agency)
ESA is currently carrying out a system-level study of Infra Red Space Interferometry. This study is referred to as "DARWIN". An industrial contractor -- Alcatel (ex-Aerospatiale) in France have been carrying out this study during 1998 - 1999, and the main study is just finished. The study has focussed on `nulling' interferometry which currently is assumed to be the best method for direct detection of terrestial planets in orbit around stars other than our Sun. A further stage in the study is being initiated where we will focus on the capabilities of doing imaging (Michelson) interferometry with the same array (currently forseen as 6 free flying 1.5 m telescopes with baselines of up to 1km but typically a few hundred meters and operating at wavelengths of between 5 and > 20microns). The main result of this feasability study is that it is now possible to discuss such a mission within a timeframe relevant to the H2000+ program, and possibly in cooperation with NASA.