A Space Imaging Concept Based on a 4-meter Spun-Cast Borosilicate Monolithic Primary Mirror

Abstract

The goal of this effort is to produce the largest monolithic telescope capable of being lifted by a Delta IV or Atlas V EELV to 500 km. A strategy using a 4 m borosilicate mirror is proposed. A preliminary architecture was identified with a new mirror design that is estimated to be 40 times stiffer than a meniscus mirror of the same mass. A mass budget and conceptual packaging details were completed. The mirror was evaluated for its ability to handle launch loads using a time based strength, flaw size, and estimated support stresses. A thermal figuring method was investigated as the wavefront correction system with power and performance estimates. Future efforts will demonstrate mirror casting and thermal figuring.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2010
Accession Number
ADA536520

Entities

People

  • Blain Olbert
  • Brian Cuerden
  • Ray Bell
  • S. H. Bailey
  • Steve Bauman
  • Steve West
  • Zac Granger

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Climate Change
  • Department Of Defense
  • Detectors
  • Diameters
  • Flight Testing
  • Focal Planes
  • Ground Based
  • Heat Pipes
  • Information Operations
  • Manufacturing
  • Observatories
  • Packaging
  • Solar Heating
  • Standards
  • Telescopes
  • Temperature Control
  • Wavefronts

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering.
  • Geodesy
  • Optical Physics and Photonics.

Technology Areas

  • Space