Laval University|Université Laval

Purpose

This project entitled « HiCIBaS - High-Contrast Imaging Balloon System » aims to develop and test a promising new type of Low-Order Wave Front Sensor (LOWFS) to study and characterize its performance at 40 km and the typical PSF instabilities and anomalies encountered in near space in the visible. The stratospheric balloon is a perfect platform to test advanced technologies on a space-like environment before their use for space applications. This test bed will allow further expansion into a more complete high contrast imaging observatory to be flown for dedicated exoplanet candidate observations. This project aims to increase our knowledge bydeveloping and testing a generic precision pointing telescope system that can be used in future missions requiring sub-milli-arcsecond level pointing (e.g. high contrast imaging missions).