FalconSAT-7: A Photon Sieve Solar Telescope

Abstract

In the event of a sudden loss of space-based surveillance assets, a limited, rapidly deployed replacement system is desirable until more capable satellites can be built and launched. Cadets and staff at the USAF Academy are currently building FalconSat-7, a 0.2m diameter solar observatory to be deployed from a 3U Colony II CubeSat (10x10x30cm). While not optimized for ground observation, such a telescope would have a 1.8m resolution at an orbital altitude of 450km.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 2011
Accession Number
ADA550682

Entities

People

  • Geoff Andersen
  • Geoff Mcharg
  • Michael Dearborn

Organizations

  • United States Air Force Academy

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Air Force
  • Altitude
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Command And Control
  • Diameters
  • Fabrication
  • Focal Planes
  • Fresnel Zones
  • Observation
  • Observatories
  • Payload
  • Solar Observatories
  • Space Based
  • Space Surveillance
  • Surveillance
  • Telescopes

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • STEM Education
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Quantum Science - Quantum Key Distribution
  • Space
  • Space - Satellites