The objective of this proposal is to apply for funding to complete the construction and implementation of a 3.5 m prototype, dubbed Small-ELF, at Teide Observatory by 2025 as a demonstrator for the future ExoLife Finder (ELF), whose the scientific objective is the detection of biomarkers in the atmospheres of extrasolar planets. The technological objectives of the ELF focus on lightening the telescope's structure by an order of magnitude, hence, reducing its cost using mainly pre-tensioned cables and ultra-light mirrors.

The ICTS 2022 grant aims to fund the dome for Small-ELF, the foundations to receive the telescope and its dome as well as manpower: (i) 2 engineers for 24 months for the integration and verification of the complete telescope structure and its mirrors and (ii) a post-doc for 12 months to design the pipeline for the data analysis and interpretation.