A. Maire, Outline 1 Context Exoplanets Physical and atmospheric characterization Direct imaging 2 Numerical simulations of the performance of the SPICES mission Context and objectives of the study Simulation of the instrument concept Performance in detection Performance in characterization 3 Analysis of VLT/NaCo imaging data The VLT/NaCo instrument and the observing program Data reduction ADI sensitivity limits SDI+ADI sensitivity limits 4 Conclusions & Prospects Conclusions Prospects Context Numerical simulations of the performance of the SPICES mission Analysis of VLT/NaCo imaging data Conclusions & Prospects Conclusions Prospects Conclusions Science performance of the SPICES mission A&A Top-level specifications of the critical subsystems Characterization performance : SNR = 25?30 for R = 50 Exoplanetology possible for ?300 planetary systems Characterization Jupiters ?0 Rayleigh scattering, metallicity enhancement ?3 Characterization super-Earths ?0 + vegetation (50% clouds) + ocean Analysis of VLT/NaCo FQPM+SDI+ADI imaging data No detections of companions Contribution to reduction pipeline ADI detection limits SDI+ADI detection limits ? need different analysis Context Numerical simulations of the performance of the SPICES mission Analysis of VLT, PhD defence Context Numerical simulations of the performance of the SPICES mission Analysis of VLT/NaCo imaging data Conclusions & Prospects Conclusions ProspectsNaCo imaging data Conclusions & Prospects Conclusions Prospects Prospects Space coronagraphic telescope Preparation next ESA calls for proposals Improvement numerical model of the instrument Other science cases (planet polarimetry, circumstellar disks) Other projects (TPF-C, 50-cm telescope Canada, 2012.