The search for exoplanets and space interferometry

The closing years of the 20th century have allowed us, for the first time, to seriously discuss interferometric instruments deployed in space. With the express purpose of achieving unprecedented spatial resolution, these missions will lead to new astrophysics. Especially—and most challenging—we expect to be able to carry out the first studies of terrestrial exoplanets. The detection and study of the latter promises to usher in a new era in science and will affect a broad spectrum of science and technology. For the first set of interferometric missions—the precursor missions such as SMART and ST-3 and the astrometric SIM, the time line for implementation is such that it could be about 5–10 years until we receive the first results from them. In this review, we describe the impact of interferometry from space on the topic of terrestrial exoplanets. We also briefly review the state of the art of the study of exoplanets as well as discuss the potential impact of several different techniques for their study.