Paper 14145-297
Paper 14145-297
Pathways to exo-world discovery with fluidic space-assembled telescopes
9 July 2026 • 17:30 - 19:00 CEST | Room B4-M3
Abstract
In-space assembly of mirrors via the scale-invariant technology of fluidic shaping can enable the paradigm shift from space-borne to space-assembled telescopes, to be iteratively scaled up at a lower cost. Starting from a minimal pathfinder fluidic telescope, we explore some of the potential exo-world science cases made observationally accessible by larger architectures. In particular, we propose to study the feasibility of a dedicated fluidic telescope with an aperture of 3+ m---having assessed the detection limits of the Roman Space Telescope---to conduct a relative-astrometry monitoring campaign on the directly-imaged habitable-zone giant exoplanet candidate α Centauri Ab, in search of Earth-like exomoons. Then, we review the possible discovery and characterization returns of follow-up missions to the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO): from variations on the Large UV/Optical/IR Surveyor (LUVOIR) concept to even larger fluidic-telescope architectures.
Presenter
Univ. of Maryland, College Park (United States), NASA Goddard Space Flight Ctr. (United States), The Ctr. for Research and Exploration in Space Science and Technology (United States)
Enrico Biancalani is a doctoral student in Astronomy at the University of Maryland, College Park, and a graduate research assistant at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. He focuses on the development of enabling astrophysical technologies and techniques for the high-contrast imaging and spectrography of extrasolar worlds. In particular, he introduced the corrective optics, established the first preliminary optical designs, initiated the opto-fluidic modeling, and created an optical architecture framework for fluidic telescopes, alias FLUTEs, at different scales. He also developed the first tentative concept, optical design, and numerical simulations of a visible/near-infrared dual-configuration spectrograph tailored for HWO. The aim of his scientific research is to directly detect and characterize a potentially habitable Earth-like exoplanet or exomoon. Enrico obtained an MSc in Astronomy and Instrumentation from Leiden University and a BSc in Astronomy from the University of Bologna.