Development of the Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope for the OSS-3 experiment complement

The areas of scientific interest addressed by the Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UIT) as part of the OSS-3 (Office of Space Science) experiment complement and the use of the Space Shuttle to make possible extended observations impose constraints in the optical, mechanical, and thermal design areas which are significantly more difficult than those encountered with sounding rocket payloads. Yet, in order that the UIT be cost-effective, it has been designed using the technology proven in the prior sounding rocket flights as a basis. The UIT had its beginnings in a series of eleven Goddard Space Flight Center sounding rocket payloads dating from 1973. Optically and mechanically it is derived from the 13-inch telescope of Rocket 26.008. Its detector design is related to that of Rocket 25.017, launched in 1977. Rocket 27.062, to be launched in 1982, will be the second flight of the 15-inch telescope serving as the direct prototype of the UIT. This evolution of the UIT from the rocket payload configuration, the nature of the new design requirements, and the manner in which the requirements were met are discussed.