Lightweight 0.5-m silicon carbide telescope for a geostationary earth observatory mission

Michael I. Anapol; Leo R. Gardner; Theodore W. Tucker; Ronald J. Koczor

doi:10.1117/12.225285

23 October 1995 Lightweight 0.5-m silicon carbide telescope for a geostationary earth observatory mission

Michael I. Anapol, Leo R. Gardner, Theodore W. Tucker, Ronald J. Koczor

Proceedings Volume 2543, Silicon Carbide Materials for Optics and Precision Structures; (1995) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.225285
Event: SPIE's 1995 International Symposium on Optical Science, Engineering, and Instrumentation, 1995, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

Many satellite-borne measurement applications require lightweight, reflective near diffraction limited telescopes with wide spectral bands (UV/visible to LWIR), for operation in space environments and over wide temperature ranges. Emerging silicon carbide (SiC) technology provides an attractive material for these telescope applications. It offers (1) the lightweight and stiffness of beryllium, (2) the diffraction limited visible optical performance of glass, (3) superior thermal stability to cryogenic temperatures, and (4) the cost and rapid fabrication advantages of aluminum. This paper describes the design, development, and test for a 50 cm dia. aperture on-axis imaging SiC telescope, and a 'goes like' 0.5 multiplied by 0.3 m scan flat for a geo-stationary earth observatory (GEO) mission. Optical, thermal, and structural design and analyses are described for the demonstration hardware. The scan mirror and telescope system have been optically tested over the temperature range of plus or minus 50 degrees Celsius. Temperature gradients have been induced on the scan mirror and telescope simulating non uniform thermal loading from the earth and sun. Test results are presented which show the excellent optical/thermal stability properties of SiC.

Citation Download Citation

Michael I. Anapol, Leo R. Gardner, Theodore W. Tucker, and Ronald J. Koczor "Lightweight 0.5-m silicon carbide telescope for a geostationary earth observatory mission", Proc. SPIE 2543, Silicon Carbide Materials for Optics and Precision Structures, (23 October 1995); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.225285

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available