About the Research Program

IRASSI: Infrared Astronomy Satellite Swarm Interferometry II

Future astrophysical investigations of planet birth and growing via direct observation is only possible with spaceborne satellite telescopes, as earth’s atmosphere would add too much disturbances. IRASSI I investigated this approach in terms navigation, formation flight, communication and ranging. IRASSI II adds more development towards realization of the full telescope system and the evaluation of its system parameters. The project members include Menlo, the Institut für Flugführung of the Technical University of Braunschweig, the Max-Planck-Institute for Astronomy, Heidelberg, and the Institute for Space Technology and Space Applications of the University der Bundeswehr München.

Funding by DLR is gratefully acknowledged.