Low-cost space structure pointing experiment

Paul S. Shirley; Robert L. Van Allen

doi:10.1117/12.178935

5 July 1994 Low-cost space structure pointing experiment

Paul S. Shirley, Robert L. Van Allen

Proceedings Volume 2221, Acquisition, Tracking, and Pointing VIII; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.178935
Event: SPIE's International Symposium on Optical Engineering and Photonics in Aerospace Sensing, 1994, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

The low cost space structure pointing experiment investigates whether significant elements of acquisition, tracking, and pointing can be demonstrated using a representation of a spaceborne optical telescope. Specifically, the feasibility of accurately emulating a large space optical telescope (constituting a spatially correct sparse optical payload) has been investigated. This result is an experiment composed of a few representative critical `sparse' elements incorporated in a small satellite launched from a space shuttle as a hitchhiker payload. Use of sparse elements minimizes the cost, weight, and size of the experiment, while the hitchhiker approach substantially reduces launch costs. After orbital insertion, the stowed sparse components will be deployed to the correct distances with representative structural dynamics. They represent a spacecraft- borne large optical telescope that can be pointed and controlled with the desired accuracy. The experiment will demonstrate the accurate precision pointing and control of four meter class large optical systems in space. It is only in space that one can obtain a realistic test of precision pointing and control and structural dynamics.

Citation Download Citation

Paul S. Shirley and Robert L. Van Allen "Low-cost space structure pointing experiment", Proc. SPIE 2221, Acquisition, Tracking, and Pointing VIII, (5 July 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.178935

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