Metrology-based Techniques for Optical System Alignment for the OSIRIS-Rx Visual and InfraRed Spectrometer

The alignment, integration, and test group (AI&T) in the optics branch at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) specializes in optical and opto-mechanical alignment and metrology for project ranging from building and testing instrument such as spectrometers and cameras to larger structures such as telescopes to large volume metrology and alignment at the observatory level for spacecraft payloads. One of the projects that involved the support of the AI&T group was the OSIRIS-Rex Visual and Infra-Red Spectrometer (OVIRS) for the Origins-Spectral Interpretation-Resource Identification-Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-Rex) mission. The purpose of this report is to outline the tools, methods, and approaches to metrology utilized by the AI&T group and how they were applied specifically to the optical alignment of the elements on OVIRS during the ambient I&T phase.