SYSTEM-DESIGN OF A MISSION TO DETECT EARTH-SIZED PLANETS IN THE INNERORBITS OF SOLAR-LIKE STARS

A point design for a mission to detect Earth-sized planets in the inne r orbits of solar-like stars is described. The observing technique is based upon continuously and simultaneously monitoring 5000 solar-like stars for brightness changes that would be caused by planets transitin g their star. Detection of periodic transits of the same amplitude and duration provides for a robust method of discovery. The instrument wo uld consist of a 1-m Schmidt telescope with an array of charge-coupled devices (CCDs) filling the 12 degrees field of view. The instrument w ould be placed in a halo orbit about the L2 Lagrange point, where its viewing would not be obscured at any time by the Sun, Earth, or Moon.