Breakthroughs in Picometer Ultra-Stable Spatial Metrology Systems for Next Generation Telescopes

Goal is to discover and characterize habitable planet candidates around Sun-like stars. Need 10(exp -10) contrast between reflected earth like planet and sun like stars. Options are internal Coronagraphs (LUVOIR and Habex) and large starshades (Habex) which each have pros and cons. Coronagraphs require 10(exp -10)contrast stability which means the primary mirror must be stable to roughly 10 picometers RMS wavefront over an exposure(minutes). Simplistically: Primary mirror instabilities of 10 picometers in certain spatial frequencies look like planets!