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Primary mirror and mount technology for the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) telescopeCandidate technologies for a lightweight primary mirror for the SOFIA telescope are evaluated for both mirror blank fabrication and polishing. Two leading candidates for the type mirror blank are considered: the frit-bonded, structured form, and the thin meniscus form. The feasible mirror is required to be very lightweight with an areal density of approximately 100 kg/sq m, have an f/ratio near 1.0, and have surface quality that permits imaging in the visible as well as the infrared. Also considered are the results of a study conducted to assess the feasibility of designing a suitable mounting system for the primary mirror. The requirements for the mount design are given both in terms of the environmental conditions and the expected optical performance. PATRAN and NASTRAN programs are used to model mirror and mounting. The sandwich-type mirror made of ultra low expansion silica with square cells in the core, is modeled using equivalent solid elements for the core. The design study produces primary mirror surface deflections in 1g as a function of mirror elevation angles. The surface is analyzed using an optical analysis program, FRINGE, to give a prediction of the mirror optical performance. Results from this analysis are included.
Document ID
19900024214
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Melugin, Ramsey K.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Chang, L. S.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Mansfield, J. A.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Howard, Steven D.
(Information Management International, Inc. Palo Alto, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1989
Subject Category
Mechanical Engineering
Meeting Information
Meeting: Cryogenic Optical Systems and Instruments III
Location: San Diego, CA
Country: United States
Start Date: August 17, 1988
End Date: August 19, 1988
Sponsors: SPIE
Accession Number
90A11269
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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