Midinfrared optimized resolution spacecraft

Lawrence A. Wade; Gerald W. Lilienthal; Susan Terebey; Hiroshi Kadogawa; Timothy G. Hawarden; Kenneth Rourke

doi:10.1117/12.255108

12 October 1996 Midinfrared optimized resolution spacecraft

Lawrence A. Wade, Gerald W. Lilienthal, Susan Terebey, Hiroshi Kadogawa, Timothy G. Hawarden, Kenneth Rourke

Proceedings Volume 2807, Space Telescopes and Instruments IV; (1996) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.255108
Event: SPIE's 1996 International Symposium on Optical Science, Engineering, and Instrumentation, 1996, Denver, CO, United States

Abstract

A concept study was performed in 1994 to develop a mission design for a telescope to achieve the highest possible spatial resolution in the 10 - 30 micron range within a $DOL200 million mission cost cap. The selected approach for the resulting Mid-InfraRed Optimized Resolution Spacecraft (MIRORS) concept design utilizes a partially filled five meter aperture. A simple deployment scheme permits this spacecraft to be fit within the volume envelope and mass capabilities of a Med-Lite launch vehicle. Low bandwidth cryogenic actuators, which dissipate no heat once set, will align the optics after on-orbit thermal stability is achieved. Image stabilization, fine point and stray-light control are achieved through use of a novel actuated Offner relay. Image reconstruction techniques developed for IRAS will be used to deconvolve nearly diffraction-limited images at 10 microns (FWHM approximately 0.5 arcsec). A Lissajous orbit about the L₂ sun-earth libration point (sun-earth- L₂ on a straight line) is adopted because its extremely stable thermal environment results in correspondingly high telescope mechanical stability and optical performance. This orbit, combined with a spacecraft configuration which incorporates an inflatable sunshield and a deployable four- stage v-groove thermal shield, enables the optics to radiatively cool <25 K. The large format focal plane will be actively cooled to <8 K by a vibration-free, long-life sorption refrigerator.

Citation Download Citation

Lawrence A. Wade, Gerald W. Lilienthal, Susan Terebey, Hiroshi Kadogawa, Timothy G. Hawarden, and Kenneth Rourke "Midinfrared optimized resolution spacecraft", Proc. SPIE 2807, Space Telescopes and Instruments IV, (12 October 1996); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.255108

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