The Deep Impact mission and instruments

J. W. Baer

doi:10.1117/12.624559

19 August 2005 The Deep Impact mission and instruments

J. W. Baer

Proceedings Volume 5865, Tribute to Warren Smith: A Legacy in Lens Design and Optical Engineering; 58650D (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.624559
Event: Optics and Photonics 2005, 2005, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Deep Impact is NASA's Discovery class mission to Comet Tempel 1. The probe will separate into two spacecraft, one of which will impact the surface and excavate a large crater. Optical observations will allow the mission to determine much about the composition and structure of the comet nucleus, of which very little is known, in addition to helping the craft navigate to the target. We will discuss the mission, its goals and hardware, with emphasis on the optical instruments and the challenges of designing passive cryogenic optics for deep space operation while staying within tighter cost constraints than have been the norm for space missions.

Citation Download Citation

J. W. Baer "The Deep Impact mission and instruments", Proc. SPIE 5865, Tribute to Warren Smith: A Legacy in Lens Design and Optical Engineering, 58650D (19 August 2005); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.624559

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