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arXiv · 2610.06188

Technological maturation of a Gigapixels Astrometry instrument for the Habitable World Observatory.

Florence Ardellier-Desages·Jer{ô}me Amiaux·J{é}r{ô}me Bobin·St{é}phane Chevobbe·Eric Doumayrou·Pierre-Antoine Frugier·Pierre-Olivier Lagage·Manon Lizzana·Fabien Malbet·Jer{ô}me Martignac·Julien Michelot·Fabrice Pancher·Pichon Thibault·Samuel Ronayette·Hugo Rousset
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Abstract

This paper presents the development strategy for HWO-AGATE (Accurate Guiding and Astrometry Targeting Exoearths), a high-precision relative astrometry instrument concept designed for the future Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO). The instrument is based on a gigapixel-class focal plane that incorporates the new generation of large-format GigaPyx CMOS sensors developed by Pyxalis. The proposed architecture relies on four 220-megapixel sensors assembled into a focal plane array and coupled with a dedicated calibration system to achieve the astrometric precision required for exoplanet detection and characterization. Preliminary study identified three major technological challenges. First, the performance of the 220-MP detectors must be validated against HWO's astrometric requirements. Second, the development of space-qualified packaging and integration solutions is required for a multi-sensor focal plane, while addressing the electrical and thermal constraints associated with the fast readout of large-format CMOS detectors. Third, an onboard calibration data-processing architecture must be implemented to reduce the raw data volume by approximately two orders of magnitude, enabling efficient operation within spacecraft resource limits. To address these challenges, we propose a comprehensive technology maturation program based on the construction of a representative end-to-end detection chain. The demonstration setup will include a partial focal plane equipped with 220-MP sensors, front-end electronics, a dedicated processing unit, and the calibration subsystem. The objective is to demonstrate compliance with HWO-AGATE requirements and to raise the maturity of large-format CMOS detector technology to Technology Readiness Level 5 (TRL 5). Detector validation and space-qualified packaging activities are already supported through institutional funding and the French national PEPR ORIGINS program in the RETINA (Researching Exoplanets Through Imaging for Narrow-angle Astrometry) project.

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Florence Ardellier-Desages, Jer{ô}me Amiaux, J{é}r{ô}me Bobin, St{é}phane Chevobbe, Eric Doumayrou, Pierre-Antoine Frugier, Pierre-Olivier Lagage, Manon Lizzana, Fabien Malbet, Jer{ô}me Martignac, Julien Michelot, Fabrice Pancher, Pichon Thibault, Samuel Ronayette, Hugo Rousset. 2026-10-05. Technological maturation of a Gigapixels Astrometry instrument for the Habitable World Observatory.. https://arxiv.org/abs/2610.06188

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