SPICA Mission Study Summary Report
Publication date: 12 July 2021
Authors: SPICA Study Team
Page: 106
Year: 2021
Copyright: ESA
Reference: ESA-SPI-EST-MIS-RP-001
SPICA (SPace Infrared telescope for Cosmology and Astrophysics) is a far IR telescope to study and answer fundamental astrophysical questions ranging from the formation and evolution of galaxies to the physics of star formation in dusty environments, including the role of magnetic fields, and the origin of planetary systems.
The SPICA mission was conceived as a cooperation between ESA and JAXA and it was initially selected as a candidate for the Cosmic Vision M5 mission together with THESEUS and EnVision. In the course of Phase A, it appeared that, although technical feasibility could be demonstrated, SPICA cost at completion was exceeding the boundaries of an M-class mission. Therefore, ESA, JAXA and SRON jointly decided to withdraw the mission from the M5 selection.
However, the Phase A was completed. The technical outcome is documented in the following report which may be used as guidance and reference for future studies.
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