View source for Astronomy:Large UV Optical Infrared Surveyor

{{Infobox spaceflight
| name                  = Large UV Optical Infrared Surveyor <!--defaults to page title-->
| names_list            = LUVOIR <!--list of previous names if the spacecraft has been renamed. 
Include the dates applicable if possible, and separate each name with a linebreak. 
Omit if the spacecraft has only ever been known by one name. 
Do not include Harvard, COSPAR/NSSDC or SATCAT/NORAD/NASA designations as alternative names-->

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| mission_type          = <!--eg. Technology, Reconnaissance, ISS assembly, etc-->
| operator              = <!--organisation(s) that operate(d) the spacecraft-->
| Harvard_designation   = <!--spacecraft launched 1962 and earlier only (eg. 1957 Alpha 2)-->
| COSPAR_ID             = <!--spacecraft launched since 1963 only (aka NSSDC ID; eg. 1998-067A)-->
| SATCAT                = <!--satellite catalogue number, omit leading zeroes (e.g. 25544)-->
| website               = {{URL|http://asd.gsfc.nasa.gov/luvoir/}} <!--Homepage of the craft/mission, OFFICIAL PAGES ONLY-->
| mission_duration      = <!--How long the mission lasted-->
| distance_travelled    = <!--How far the spacecraft travelled (if known)-->
| orbits_completed      = <!--number of times the spacecraft orbited the Earth - see below for spacecraft beyond Earth orbit-->
| suborbital_range      = <!--downrange distance reached if spacecraft did not enter orbit-->
| suborbital_apogee     = <!--altitude reached if spacecraft did not enter orbit-->

<!--Spacecraft properties-->
| spacecraft            = <!--Spacecraft name/serial number (eg. Space Shuttle ''Discovery'', Apollo CM-118), etc-->
| spacecraft_type       = <!--eg. GPS Block II, Kobalt-M, US-K, etc-->
| spacecraft_bus        = <!--eg. A2100M, Star-2, etc-->
| manufacturer          = <!--company or companies who built the satellite-->
| launch_mass           = <!--fuelled mass at launch, not including rocket or upper stage-->
| BOL_mass              = <!--spacecraft mass in orbit at beginning of operational life, after LEOP phase-->
| landing_mass          = <!--Mass after landing (recovered spacecraft only)-->
| dry_mass              = <!--spacecraft mass in orbit without fuel-->
| payload_mass          = <!--Mass of cargo carried by spacecraft (eg. for Space Shuttle), or total mass of instrumentation/equipment/experiments for mission-->
| dimensions            = <!--body dimensions and solar array span-->
| power                 = <!--end-of-life power, in watts-->

<!--Launch details-->
| launch_date           = 2035 (proposed) <!--{{start date|YYYY|MM|DD|hh|mm|ss|TZ=Z}}-->
| launch_rocket         = <!--Rocket that launched the satellite, include upper stage if distinct from rocket* and if possible flight/tail/serial number-->
| launch_site           = <!--Where the rocket launched from, including complex and pad; do not include the full address or country-->
| launch_contractor     = <!--organisation(s) that conducted the launch (eg. United Launch Alliance, Arianespace, etc)-->

<!--end of mission-->
| disposal_type         = <!--Whether the spacecraft was deorbited, decommissioned, placed in a graveyard orbit, etc-->
| declared              = <!--when the operator/agency officially ended the mission-->
| deactivated           = <!--when craft was decommissioned-->
| destroyed             = <!--when craft was destroyed (if other than by re-entry)-->
| last_contact          = <!--when last signal received if not decommissioned-->
| recovery_by           = <!--recovered by-->
| recovery_date         = <!--recovery date-->
| decay_date            = <!--when craft re-entered the atmosphere, not needed if it landed-->

<!--
    The following template should be used for ONE of the three above fields "end_of_mission", "decay" or "landing" if the spacecraft is no longer operational.
    If it landed intact, use it for the landing time, otherwise for the date it ceased operations, or the decay date if it was still operational when it re-entered.
    {{end date|YYYY|MM|DD|hh|mm|ss|TZ=Z}} (for Zulu/UTC) or {{end date|YYYY|MM|DD}} (if time unknown) 
-->

<!--orbit parameters-->
<!--as science-related articles, SI units should be the principal units of measurement, however we usually use {{convert}} to display imperial units in parentheses after the initial values-->
| orbit_reference       = [[Astronomy:Lagrangian point|Lagrange 2 point]]<!--geocentric, selenocentric, etc - please link (e.g. [[Astronomy:Geocentric orbit|Geocentric]])-->
| orbit_regime          = <!--high, low, medium, molniya, GSO - please link (e.g. [[Astronomy:Low Earth orbit|Low Earth]] - please don't use acronyms-->
| orbit_longitude       = <!--geosynchronous satellites only-->
| orbit_slot            = <!--Designation of orbital position or slot, if not longitude (e.g plane and position of a GPS satellite)-->
| orbit_semimajor       = <!--semimajor axis-->
| orbit_eccentricity    = <!--orbital eccentricity-->
| orbit_periapsis       = <!--periapsis altitude--> 
| orbit_apoapsis        = <!--apoapsis altitude--> 
| orbit_inclination     = <!--orbital inclination--> 
| orbit_period          = <!--time taken to complete an orbit-->
| orbit_RAAN            = <!--right ascension of the ascending node-->
| orbit_arg_periapsis   = <!--argument of perigee/periapsis-->
| orbit_mean_anomaly    = <!--mean anomaly at epoch, only use in conjunction with an epoch value-->
| orbit_mean_motion     = <!--mean motion of the satellite, usually measured in orbits per day-->
| orbit_repeat          = <!--repeat interval/revisit time-->
| orbit_velocity        = <!--speed at which the spacecraft was travelling at epoch - only use for spacecraft with low orbital eccentricity-->
| orbit_epoch           = <!--the date at which the orbit parameters were correct-->
| orbit_rev_number      = <!--revolution number-->
| apsis                 = <!--planet specific apsis term (eg. gee/helion/selene/etc - defaults to generic "apsis")-->

<!--Telescope parameters-->
| instrument_type       = <!--converts telescope fields to suit a camera or other similar instrument-->
| telescope_name        = <!--name, if different to the satellite-->
| telescope_type        = <!--type of telescope, mirror arrangement, etc--> 
| telescope_diameter    = 8 m to 18 m<!--diameter of telescope-->
| telescope_focal_length= <!--focal length of telescope-->
| telescope_area        = <!--collecting area-->
| telescope_wavelength  = UV, [[Physics:Visible spectrum|visible]] and [[Physics:Infrared|infrared]] 
| telescope_resolution  = <!--resolution of telescope-->
| instruments           = <!--a list of instruments on the satellite-->

<!--transponder parameters-->
| trans_band            = <!--Transponder frequency bands-->
| trans_frequency       = <!--specific frequencies-->
| trans_bandwidth       = <!--bandwidth-->
| trans_capacity        = <!--capacity of the transponders-->
| trans_coverage        = <!--area covered-->
| trans_TWTA            = <!--TWTA output power-->
| trans_EIRP            = <!--equivalent isotropic power-->
| trans_HPBW            = <!--half-power beam width-->

<!--mission insignia or patch-->
| insignia              = <!--omit the "file" prefix-->
| insignia_caption      = <!--image caption-->
| insignia_alt          = <!--image alt text-->
| insignia_size         = <!--include px/em; defaults to 180px-->
}}

The '''Large UV Optical Infrared Surveyor''' ('''LUVOIR''') is a multi-wavelength space observatory concept being developed by the [[Organization:Goddard Space Flight Center|Goddard Space Flight Center]] and proposed for the [[Organization:Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal Survey|Decadal Survey]] Concept Study started in January 2016. The concept is based on a mirror from 8 m to 18 m in diameter,<ref name='GSFC 2017'>[https://asd.gsfc.nasa.gov/luvoir/media/Flyer_v5.pdf LUVOIR Large Ultraviolet/Optical/Infrared Surveyor] (PDF) 2017. Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA. 2017.</ref> and covering the [[Physics:Ultraviolet|ultraviolet]], [[Physics:Visible spectrum|visible]] and [[Physics:Infrared|infrared]] wavelengths. It would be a [[Astronomy:Large Strategic Science Missions|Large Strategic Science Mission]] and be up for selection sometime after 2020.<ref name="Scientific American 2016">{{Cite news |title=NASA Considers Its Next Flagship Space Telescope |first=Sarah |last=Scoles |journal=Scientific American |date=30 March 2016 |url=https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/nasa-considers-its-next-flagship-space-telescope/ |accessdate =15 August 2017}}</ref>

LUVOIR is a set of goals and requirements for a space telescope, but is not a specific design.  More concrete proposals have their own names, such as [[Engineering:Advanced Technology Large-Aperture Space Telescope|ATLAST]] and [[Astronomy:High-Definition Space Telescope|HDST]].  One of those will be selected to become LUVOIR.<ref>{{cite arxiv |arxiv=1605.04367 |class=astro-ph.IM |title=Extension of ATLAST/LUVOIR's Capabilities to 5 Microns, or Beyond |first1=Michael |last1=Werner |display-authors=0 |date=14 May 2016 |quote=ATLAST and HDST can be thought of as possible implementations of LUVOIR.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=NASA's Next Great Space Telescope: The Quest Begins |first=Calla |last=Cofield |date=1 February 2016 |journal=Space.com |url=https://www.space.com/31778-nasa-next-great-space-telescope.html |quote=One of the most recent such proposals has been named the "High Definition Space Telescope," (HDST), but the general concept is called LUVOIR (Large Ultraviolet Visible Infrared).}}</ref>

== Overview ==

LUVOIR would be equipped with an internal [[Astronomy:Coronagraph|coronagraph]], and would have the option to make use of an external starshade. It would also have a range of high dynamic range sensors that work in the [[Physics:Ultraviolet|ultraviolet]], [[Physics:Visible spectrum|visible]] and [[Physics:Infrared|infrared]] wavelengths.<ref name='GSFC 2017'/><ref name="NASA-LUVOIR">{{Cite web |title=LUVOIR – Large UV/Optical/Infrared Surveyor |work=NASA |url=http://asd.gsfc.nasa.gov/luvoir/ |accessdate=15 August 2017}}</ref>

In 2016, NASA began considering four different [[Astronomy:Space telescope|space telescope]]s for the [[Astronomy:Large Strategic Science Missions|Large Strategic Science Missions]] (formerly Flagship Program) mission;<ref name='Scientific American 2016'/> they are the [[Astronomy:Habitable Exoplanet Imaging Mission|Habitable Exoplanet Imaging Mission]] (HabEx), Large UV Optical Infrared Surveyor (LUVOIR), [[Astronomy:Origins Space Telescope|Origins Space Telescope]] (OST), and Lynx X-ray Surveyor. In 2019 the four teams will turn their final reports over to the National Academy of Sciences, whose independent [[Astronomy:Planetary Science Decadal Survey|Decadal Survey]] committee advises NASA on which mission should take top priority. If funded, it would launch approximately in 2035,<ref name="Scientific American 2016"/> with a heavy launch vehicle and it would likely be placed at the Sun–Earth [[Astronomy:Lagrangian point|Lagrange 2 point]].<ref>[https://asd.gsfc.nasa.gov/luvoir/tech/LUVOIR_Tech_Notes/LaunchVehicleConsiderations-LUVOIRTechNote_Final.pdf Getting to Orbit: Launch Vehicles] - LUVOIR Tech Note Series. Norman Rioux, 5 August 2016. Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA.</ref>

==Preliminary goals==
[[File:Cp22liberationdaytransient.png|thumb|right|200px|[[Astronomy:Coronagraph|Coronagraph]] image of the Sun]]
Its four main goals are to investigate [[Physics:Astrophysics|astrophysics]], [[Astronomy:Exoplanet|exoplanet]]s, the [[Astronomy:Chronology of the universe|cosmic origins]] and the [[Astronomy:Solar System|Solar System]].<ref name="NASA-LUVOIR" /> LUVOIR would be able to analyze the structure and composition of exoplanets' surface, and image faint circumstellar disks to provide insights on [[Astronomy:Nebular hypothesis|how planets form]].  It would also detect [[Astronomy:Biosignature|biosignature]]s on distant exoplanets' atmospheres.<ref>{{cite journal |first1=Bernard J. |last1=Rauscher |first2=Edgar R. |last2=Canavan |first3=Samuel H. |last3=Moseley |first4=John E. |last4=Sadleir |first5=Thomas |last5=Stevenson |title=Detectors and cooling technology for direct spectroscopic biosignature characterization |journal=J. Astron. Telesc. Instrum. Syst. |volume=2 |issue=4 |pages=041212 |year=October–December 2016 |doi=10.1117/1.JATIS.2.4.041212 |doi-access=free |arxiv=1607.05708 |class=astro-ph.IM |url=https://www.spiedigitallibrary.org/journals/Journal-of-Astronomical-Telescopes-Instruments-and-Systems/volume-2/issue-04/041212/Detectors-and-cooling-technology-for-direct-spectroscopic-biosignature-characterization/10.1117/1.JATIS.2.4.041212.pdf|bibcode=2016JATIS...2d1212R }}</ref> Atmospheric biosignatures of interest include {{chem|CO|2}}, CO, molecular oxygen ({{chem|O|2}}), ozone ([[Chemistry:Ozone|{{chem|O|3}}]]), water ({{chem|H|2|O}}), and methane ([[Chemistry:Methane|{{chem|CH|4}}]]).<ref name='wavelengths 2016'>{{cite techreport |url=https://asd.gsfc.nasa.gov/luvoir/technology/notes/Long-WavelengthPerformance-LUVOIRTechNote_Final.pdf |title=The Long Wavelength Limit of LUVOIR |series=LUVOIR Tech Note Series |first=Michael |last=Werner |date=5 August 2016 |publisher=Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA}}</ref>

LUVOIR's multi-wavelength capability would help understanding how host star's UV radiation regulates the atmospheric photochemistry on habitable planets.

==Preliminary characteristics==
[[File:Starshade Artist's Concept 2 PIA20911.jpg|thumb|Starshade with space observatory during deployment]]
The concept is based on a mirror from 8 m to 18 m in diameter,<ref name='GSFC 2017'/> and sensors that cover [[Wavelength|wavelength]]s from 0.1 μm ([[Physics:Ultraviolet|far UV]]) to 5 μm (mid-infrared).<ref name="Scientific American 2016"/><ref name="NASA-LUVOIR"/>  For satisfactory performance of its detector arrays, the lens and sensor system would have to be actively cooled to between {{convert|270|-|295|K|C}}<ref name='wavelengths 2016'/> while other systems will have to be warmed. In addition of imaging at various wavelengths, it will also have [[Physics:Astronomical spectroscopy|spectroscopic capabilities]].<ref>[https://asd.gsfc.nasa.gov/luvoir/tech/LUVOIR_Tech_Notes/UVDetectors-LUVOIRTechNote_Final.pdf Ultraviolet Detectors for Cosmic Origins and Exoplanet Science with LUVOIR] — LUVOIR Tech Note Series (PDF). Kevin France and David Schiminovich.  5 August 2016. Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA.</ref>

LUVOIR would be equipped with an internal [[Astronomy:Coronagraph|coronagraph]],<ref>[https://asd.gsfc.nasa.gov/luvoir/tech/LUVOIR_Tech_Notes/Coronagraphs-LUVOIR-Tech-Note_Final.pdf Starlight Suppression with Coronagraphs] - LUVOIR Tech Note Series. (PDF) Stuart Shaklan. Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA. August 5, 2016.</ref> a disk that allows the diffracted starlight to be suppressed so that orbiting exoplanets can be directly observed, and would have the option to make use of an external starshade.<ref name='LOUVOIR starshade 2016'>[https://asd.gsfc.nasa.gov/luvoir/tech/LUVOIR_Tech_Notes/Starshades-LUVOIRTechNote_Final.pdf High-Contrast Imaging with Starshades] (PDF) Aki Roberge. Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA. 2017.</ref> Starshades are a relatively new idea for providing the extreme high-contrast needed for exoplanet direct observations. A starshade is an independent spacecraft flying in formation with the telescope while it casts a shadow on the telescope. A starshade blocks the unwanted bright light from an exoplanet host star before it enters the telescope, while allowing light from nearby planets to pass nearly unattenuated.<ref name='LOUVOIR starshade 2016'/>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== See also ==
* [[Engineering:Advanced Technology Large-Aperture Space Telescope|Advanced Technology Large-Aperture Space Telescope]] (ATLAST), one possible LUVOIR implementation
* [[Astronomy:High-Definition Space Telescope|High-Definition Space Telescope]] (HDST), another possible implementation

== External links ==
* [https://www.universetoday.com/135362/rise-super-telescopes-large-uv-optical-infrared-surveyor-luvoir/ The Large UV Optical Infrared Surveyor (LUVOIR) aka Hubble 2.0] Summary of interview with Brad Peterson & NASA video

{{Space observatories}}
{{Exoplanet search projects}}

[[Category:Proposed satellites]]
[[Category:Space observatories]]
[[Category:Exoplanet search projects]]
[[Category:Spacecraft using halo orbits]]
[[Category:Proposed NASA space probes]]

{{Sourceattribution|Large UV Optical Infrared Surveyor|1}}