The instrument simultaneously observes two celestial fields separated by at least 60 degrees and operates in a revolving scanning mode similar to that of Hipparcos. It will exceed the performance of Hipparcos in all important parameters. The optical configuration consists of two Fizeau interferometers with baselines of 10 cm.
Light is recorded by a CCD mosaic operated in time-delayed integration mode.
DIVA will be a technologically ambitious, yet low-cost space mission. A launch in 2003 is aimed at. Proceedings of the International Spring Meeting of the Astronomische Gesellschaft, Gotha, May 11-15, 1998.