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The Origins Space Telescope (OST) is 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 is high redshifts as well as investigation of solar system objects (such as comets) and observation of extra-solar planets. Given the far-future time-frame, the concepts have been shifting and can be expected to shift more.
Current plans are 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:
Initial 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, with the alternate plan, Concept 2, which continues to evolve, addressing practical and budget concerns. Among the concerns is 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 that has similar capabilities.
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