Towards the spectroscopic analysis of Earthlike planets: the DARWIN/TPF project

The DARWIN/TPF mission aims at detecting Earthlike planets around stars in the solar neighborhood, and determining the chemical composition of their potential atmosphere thanks to a spectral analysis of the flux from the planet itself (direct detection). Due to the large contrast between the planet and its parent star and the vicinity of these objects, high angular resolution/high dynamical range techniques are required. In this article, we describe and discuss the concept of DARWIN/TPF, a space interferometer working in a nulling mode in the thermal infrared. We describe the technological challenges required to reach the required performance, and possible ways to validate the concept, with both ground based and space demonstrators. To cite this article: M. Ollivier, C. R. Physique 8 (2007).