Overview of Technologies for Direct Optical Imaging of Exoplanets

The execution of a mission as ambitious and challenging as finding indications of life on planets around other stars requires careful evaluation of potential technological approaches. Following the strong endorsement from the last decadal survey on Astronomy and Astrophysics for the New Millennium (2001), NASA pursued a vigorous TPF program with nearly $150M community investment over the last decade in science, technology and mission studies. After a 3-year head-to-head comparison of exoplanet missions using direct optical imaging and mid-infra red (mid-IR) interferometry, NASA endorsed a visible imaging coronagraphic concept as the first of its exoplanet characterization missions in 2004.