Extreme-ultraviolet Stellar Characterization for Atmospheric Physics and Evolution mission: motivation and overview
Kevin France, Brian Fleming, Allison Youngblood, James Mason, J. J. Drake, Ute Amerstorfer, M. A. Barstow, V. Bourrier, Patrick Champey, L. Fossati, Cynthia S. Froning, James C. Green, Fabien Grisé, Guillaume Gronoff, Timothy Hellickson, Meng Jin, Tommi Koskinen, Adam F. Kowalski, Nicholas Kruczek, Jeffrey L. Linsky, Sarah Lipscy, Randall L. McEntaffer, David McKenzie, Drew M. Miles, Tom Patton, Sabrina Savage, Oswald H. W. Siegmund, Constance Spittler, Bryce Unruh, M. Volz
Abstract
The Extreme-ultraviolet Stellar Characterization for Atmospheric Physics and Evolution (ESCAPE) mission is an astrophysics Small Explorer employing ultraviolet spectroscopy (EUV: 80 to 825 and FUV: 1280 to 1650 ) to explore the high-energy radiation environment in the habitable zones around nearby stars. ESCAPE provides the first comprehensive study of the stellar EUV and coronal mass ejection environments that directly impact the habitability of rocky exoplanets. In a 20-month science mission, ESCAPE will provide the essential stellar characterization to identify exoplanetary systems most conducive to habitability and provide a roadmap for NASA's future life-finder missions. ESCAPE accomplishes this