Exploring the interplay between hot stars and exoplanets - A new spectrograph prototype for a unique nano-sat mission

What astrophysical phenomena operate in stars hotter than the Sun that impact the lifetime of stars and therefore the formation, evolution and dynamics of planetary systems? To what extent are these stars displaying activity that may affect nearby planets? To answer these questions we require long, uninterrupted photometric and spectroscopic observations in a broad wavelength range of high-accuracy and data that are not contaminated by our atmosphere. This can only be done from space!

Here, I propose to develop a nano-satellite mission to gather the data required. More specifically, I aim at designing and building a compact space-qualified spectrograph covering the wavelength regions required. This space mission is a novel high-risk, high-gain project and will be unique throughout the scientific community with the potential to impact every astrophysical research field requiring these data.