The Pyxis Interferometer (II): control system, telescope, and mechanical design

Samuel Wade; Jonah T. Hansen; Michael J. Ireland; Tony Travouillon; Nicholas Bohlsen; Logan Corry; Steven Ellis; Nicholas Herrald; Weihao Luo; Stephen Madden; Joseph Mangos; Michael Polkinghorne; Kunlun Yan

doi:10.1117/12.2627772

26 August 2022 The Pyxis Interferometer (II): control system, telescope, and mechanical design

Samuel Wade, Jonah T. Hansen, Michael J. Ireland, Tony Travouillon, Nicholas Bohlsen, Logan Corry, Steven Ellis, Nicholas Herrald, Weihao Luo, Stephen Madden, Joseph Mangos, Michael Polkinghorne, Kunlun Yan

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 12183, Optical and Infrared Interferometry and Imaging VIII; 121831C (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2627772
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2022, Montréal, Québec, Canada

Abstract

The Pyxis interferometer is a ground-based pathfinder for an optical space interferometer being built at Mt Stromlo Observatory. In this second paper, we discuss the system breakdown of the interferometer and its mechanical design. We outline the interferometer’s three robotic platforms, with two telescopic collectors and one central beam combiner. Each collector utilises a full aluminium, diamond-turned telescope, designed to remove thermal distortions for future space applications. We also explain the chosen control system for the interferometer and how it will be used to ensure the linear and angular control requirements, including sub-milli-radian angular control of each robot.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Samuel Wade, Jonah T. Hansen, Michael J. Ireland, Tony Travouillon, Nicholas Bohlsen, Logan Corry, Steven Ellis, Nicholas Herrald, Weihao Luo, Stephen Madden, Joseph Mangos, Michael Polkinghorne, and Kunlun Yan "The Pyxis Interferometer (II): control system, telescope, and mechanical design", Proc. SPIE 12183, Optical and Infrared Interferometry and Imaging VIII, 121831C (26 August 2022); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2627772

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