Edison project and radiatively cooled infrared space observatories

Harley A. Thronson Jr.; Timothy G. Hawarden; Tom W. Bradshaw; Anna H. Orlowska; Alan J. Penny; R. F. Turner; Donald Rapp

doi:10.1117/12.158751

1 November 1993 Edison radiatively cooled infrared space observatory

Harley A. Thronson Jr., Timothy G. Hawarden, Tom W. Bradshaw, Anna H. Orlowska, Alan J. Penny, R. F. Turner, Donald Rapp

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 1945, Space Astronomical Telescopes and Instruments II; (1993) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.158751
Event: Optical Engineering and Photonics in Aerospace Sensing, 1993, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

We describe the current design for Edison, the first large radiatively-cooled infrared space observatory, now under consideration by the European Space Agency. Without the large cryogen tanks, more of the spacecraft can be filled with light-collecting optics and, of course, the observatory has no built-in lifetime. Our proposal is for a telescope with a 1.7 m primary to be launched by an Atlas, Ariane 5, or Proton. The baseline orbit for the observatory is a 'halo' around L2, a location which allows additional radiating area to be placed anti-sunward. Models of the temperature behavior of the observatory indicate an equilibrium temperature via radiation alone of about 20 K. Use of near-future cryo-coolers may allow optical system temperatures as low as approximately 15 K. Consequently, Edison will be limited in sensitivity by the celestial thermal background at wavelengths shortward of about 60 micrometers and by celestial source confusion at longer wavelengths.

Citation Download Citation

Harley A. Thronson Jr., Timothy G. Hawarden, Tom W. Bradshaw, Anna H. Orlowska, Alan J. Penny, R. F. Turner, and Donald Rapp "Edison radiatively cooled infrared space observatory", Proc. SPIE 1945, Space Astronomical Telescopes and Instruments II, (1 November 1993); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.158751

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