Evaluation of the implementation of WFIRST/AFTA in the context of new worlds, new horizons in astronomy and astrophysics (The National Academies Press, 2014)
"Evaluation of the Implementation of WFIRST in the Context of New Worlds, New Horizons in Astronomy and Astrophysics" assesses whether the proposed Astrophysics Focused Telescope Assets (AFTA) design reference mission described in the April 30, 2013 report of the AFTA Science Definition Team (SDT), WFIRST-2.4, is responsive to the overall strategy to pursue the science objectives of "New Worlds, New Horizons in Astronomy and Astrophysics," and in particular, the survey's top ranked, large-scale, space-based priority: the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST). This report considers the versions of WFIRST-2.4 with and without the coronagraph, as described in the AFTA SDT report. The report compares the WFIRST mission described in "New Worlds, New Horizons" to the AFTA SDT WFIRST-2.4 design reference mission, with and without the coronagraph, on the basis of their science objectives, technical complexity, and programmatic rationale, including projected cost. This report gives an overview of relevant scientific, technical, and programmatic changes that have occurred since the release of "New Worlds, New Horizons," and assesses the responsiveness of the WFIRST mission to the science and technology objectives of the "New Worlds" report
The WFIRST/AFTA Science Program. Dark energy and beyond -- Exoplanets -- Surveying the evolution of the universe -- The WFIRST/AFTA Observing Program -- Addition tof the coronagraph-scientific rationale and consistency with technology development goals of NWNH -- WFIRST in the programmatic context. Cost and cost-risk assesment -- Addition of the coronagraph -- Mission operations complexity