A long-baseline, space-based Michelson interferometer will be able to detect Earth Analog planets orbiting nearby G stars. The Star Watch astrometry observatory is capable of providing 1 micro-arcsecond (µas) measurements during individual observations. Over a series of “looks”, a precision of 0.3 µas can be achieved. Hardware was constructed and validated to a TRL-6 readiness level during NASA’s Space Interferometry Mission project. European industry has demonstrated its expertise in laser metrology in the LISA Pathfinder project. This will allow Europe to either proceed with the Star Watch astrometry mission on its own or through collaboration with NASA.

长基线、天基迈克尔逊干涉仪将能够探测到围绕附近 G 星运行的地球模拟行星。Star Watch 天体测量天文台能够在单个观测期间提供 1 微弧秒 (µas) 的测量值。通过一系列“观察”，可以实现 0.3 µas 的精度。在 NASA 的空间干涉测量任务项目期间，硬件已构建并验证到 TRL-6 就绪级别。欧洲工业在 LISA Pathfinder 项目中展示了其在激光计量方面的专业知识。这将允许欧洲自行或通过与美国宇航局合作进行 Star Watch 天体测量任务。