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The AstroBiology Explorer (ABE) MIDEX MissionThe Astrobiology Explorer (ABE) is a Medium-Class Explorer (MIDEX) mission concept currently under study at NASA's Ames Research Center. ABE will conduct infrared (IR) spectroscopic observations with much better sensitivity than Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) or the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy program (SOFIA) in order to address outstanding astrobiologically important problems in astrochemistry as well as important astrophysical investigations. The core observational astrobiology program would make fundamental scientific progress in understanding the cosmic history of molecular carbon, the distribution of organic matter in the diffuse interstellar medium, tracing the chemical history of complex organic molecules in the interstellar medium, and the evolution of organic ices in young planetary systems. The ABE instrument concept includes a 0.5 m aperture Cassegrain telescope and a suite of three moderate resolution (R = 1000 - 4000) spectrographs which cover the entire lambda = 2.5-20 micron spectral region. Use of large format (1024 x 1024 pixel or larger) IR detector arrays will allow each spectrograph to cover an entire octave of spectral range per exposure without any moving parts. The telescope is passively cooled by a sun shade to below 65 K, and the detectors are cooled with solid H2 cryogen to approximately 8 K. ABE will be placed in an Earth-trailing one AU solar orbit by a Delta II launch vehicle. This energetically favorable orbit provides a low thermal background, affords good access to the entire sky over the one year mission lifetime, and allows adequate communications bandwidth. The spacecraft will be stabilized in three axes and will be pointed to an accuracy of approximately one arcsecond at ABE's several thousand individual scientific targets.
Document ID
20000118211
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
Authors
Greene, Thomas
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Sandford, Scott
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Allamandola, Louis
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Arno, Roger
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Bregman, Jesse
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Cox, Sylvia
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Davis, Paul
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Gonzales, Andrew
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Hanel, Robert
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Hines, Michael
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Hudgins, Douglas
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
DeVincenzi, Donald L.
Date Acquired
August 19, 2013
Publication Date
November 1, 2000
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Meeting Information
Meeting: UV, Optical and IR Space Telescopes and Instruments
Location: Munich
Country: Germany
Start Date: March 26, 2000
End Date: March 31, 2000
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 632-70-04-03
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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