SEE COAST, a spectro-polarimetric imaging mission to characterize exoplanets

SEE COAST is a space mission concept submitted to Cosmic Vision in 2007. It is designed for the characterization of giant gazeous planets and possibly Super Earths both in spectroscopy and polarimetry at visible wavelengths (0.4-1.2μm). The SEE COAST concept relies on a series of high contrast imaging techniques like coronagraphy, wavefront control and differential imaging. The strategy of the mission is presented and the instrumental concept briefly introduced