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The Origins Space Telescope (OST) was an initiative to develop a 2030s large-aperture space telescope, in an L2 orbit, to observe infrared wavelengths in the 5 μm to 1 mm range, for a c2035 launch. Its goal was high redshifts as well as investigation of solar system objects (such as comets) and observation of extra-solar planets. The plan was developed c2019-c2021.
The last produced plans were for a 5.9-meter aperture (similar to that of James Webb Space Telescope), with instruments including camera(s), spectrograph(s) and polarimeter(s) covering 2.8 to 588 μm, with instruments cooled to 4.5 K to reduce thermal noise, thus increase sensitivity. This wavelength-range is similar to Herschel Space Observatory but with an aperture larger than Herschel's 3.5 meters and with far more sensitivity requiring a cryogenic temperature. Instruments:
Earlier plans aimed for an aperture in the 8-to-15-meter range, and an early concept specified a 9.1-meter primary mirror. This came to be termed Concept 1, and an alternate plan, Concept 2, addressed practical and budget concerns. Among the concerns was to match its dimensions with practically-available launch equipment, aiming to match the capabilities of the SLS 8.4-meter-diameter launch rocket currently in development, or to use some future launch vehicle with similar capabilities.
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