Imaging Planets About Other Stars with NGST

We propose to use the Next Generation Space Telescope (NGST) with a unique observing technique to image ter-restrial and giant planets as close as 0.15′ ′ from the parent stars. Two of the Doppler detected planets are at this separation and could possibly be directly imaged. We describe a proof of concept design for a free-flying occulter. This paper is to provide the scientific justification for this mission. To achieve our scientific goals, we propose a free flying occulter, the Ultimate Mechanism to Block Radiation from Astronomical Sources (UMBRAS), to be launched in conjunction with NGST. The UMBRAS space mission will consist of two separate spacecraft, a Solar Powered Ion Driven Eclipsing Rover (SPIDER) and possibly one or two metrology platforms. The UMBRAS spacecraft will be semi-autonomous, with their own propulsion systems, internal power (solar cells), communications, and navigation capability. The metrology platform may be necessary for station keeping and to help navigate the SPIDER to target locations. The three spacecraft (SPIDER, the metrology platform, and NGST) will define a reference frame for aligning NGST and the SPIDER with the same target and for positioning each spacecraft relative to each other. UMBRAS will perform station keeping by communicating with NGST. When stationed at distances of 1000 km to 15000 km from NGST, the occulter will enable NGST to imag