Milky Way and nearby galaxy science with the SALTUS space observatory

Abstract

We present an overview of the Milky Way (MW) and nearby galaxy science case for the Single Aperture Large Telescope for Universe Studies (SALTUS) far-infrared (IR) NASA probe-class mission concept. SALTUS offers enormous gains in spatial resolution and spectral sensitivity over previous far-IR missions due to its cold (<40 K) 14-m primary mirror. Key MW and nearby galaxy science goals for SALTUS focus on understanding the role of star formation in feedback in the local universe. In addition to this science case, SALTUS would open a new window to galactic and extragalactic communities in the 2030s, enabling fundamentally new questions to be answered, and would be a far-IR analog to the near- and mid-IR capabilities of the James Webb Space Telescope. We summarize the MW and nearby galaxy science case and plans for notional observing programs in both guaranteed and guest (open) times.