FalconSAT-7: a membrane space telescope

Geoff Andersen; Olha Asmolova; Thomas Dickinson

doi:10.1117/12.2050545

3 June 2014 FalconSAT-7: a membrane space telescope

Geoff Andersen, Olha Asmolova, Thomas Dickinson

Proceedings Volume 9085, Sensors and Systems for Space Applications VII; 908504 (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2050545
Event: SPIE Defense + Security, 2014, Baltimore, MD, United States

Abstract

The USAF Academy Department of Physics is building FalconSAT-7, a membrane solar telescope to be deployed from a 3U CubeSat in LEO. The primary optic is a 0.2m photon sieve.—a diffractive element consisting of billions of tiny holes in an otherwise opaque polymer sheet. The membrane, its support structure, secondary optics, two imaging cameras and associated control/recording electronics are all packaged within half the CubeSat volume. Once in space the supporting pantograph structure is deployed, pulling the membrane flat under tension. The telescope will then be steered towards the Sun to gather images at H-alpha for transmission to the ground. Due for launch in 2016, FalconSAT-7 will serve as a pathfinder for future surveillance missions.

Citation Download Citation

Geoff Andersen, Olha Asmolova, and Thomas Dickinson "FalconSAT-7: a membrane space telescope", Proc. SPIE 9085, Sensors and Systems for Space Applications VII, 908504 (3 June 2014); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2050545

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