Two-degree-of-freedom image motion compensator for Shuttle-based pointing experiments

The mechanical design of the subarcsec-accurate, high-bandwidth two-DOF image motion compensator developed to enhance Space Shuttle-based optical telescope experiments' pointing accuracy encompasses a gimbal-type flex-pivot suspension, a novel ironless two-axis forcer, and a differential capacitive tilt-sensor system. The image motion compensator was developed to allow the UV Imaging Telescope Sensor to maintain stringent pointing accuracies over extended integration intervals while experiencing typical manned spacecraft perturbations.