Kilometric baseline space interferometry

Pierre Y. Bely; Robin J. Laurance; Sergio Volonte; Alain H. Greenaway; Christopher A. Haniff; Mario G. Lattanzi; Jean-Marie Mariotti; Jacco C. Noordam; Farrokh Vakili; Oskar von der Luehe; Herve Lambert; Bertrand Calvel; Richard J. Scaddan; Paul Vangasse

doi:10.1117/12.255123

12 October 1996 Kilometric baseline space interferometry

Pierre Y. Bely, Robin J. Laurance, Sergio Volonte, Alain H. Greenaway, Christopher A. Haniff, Mario G. Lattanzi, Jean-Marie Mariotti, Jacco C. Noordam, Farrokh Vakili, Oskar von der Luehe, Herve Lambert, Bertrand Calvel, Richard J. Scaddan, Paul Vangasse

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 2807, Space Telescopes and Instruments IV; (1996) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.255123
Event: SPIE's 1996 International Symposium on Optical Science, Engineering, and Instrumentation, 1996, Denver, CO, United States

Abstract

Two versions of a kilometric interferometer with equivalent science capabilities have been studied, one located on the Moon and the other operating as a free-flyer. It has been found that the Moon is not the ideal site for interferometry because of tidal and micro-meteorite induced disturbances, the need for long delay lines and the large temperature swings from day to night. Automatic deployment of the Moon- based interferometer would be difficult and site preparation and assistance by man appear to be essential. The free-flyer would be implemented as a very accurately controlled cluster of independent satellites placed in a halo orbit around the 2nd Lagrange point of the Sun-Earth system. Both versions could attain the required scientific performances and each one needs the same type of metrology control. The free-flyer is intrinsically advantageous because of its reconfiguration flexibility, quasi-unlimited baseline length and observation efficiency (the Moon-based interferometer cannot be operated during the lunar day because of stray light). The free-flyer is better suited for implementation in the near or mid-term future, but the Moon-based version could be considered in the long term when a human presence would permit maintenance and upgrading leading to a longer lifetime with continuous performance enhancement.

Citation Download Citation

Pierre Y. Bely, Robin J. Laurance, Sergio Volonte, Alain H. Greenaway, Christopher A. Haniff, Mario G. Lattanzi, Jean-Marie Mariotti, Jacco C. Noordam, Farrokh Vakili, Oskar von der Luehe, Herve Lambert, Bertrand Calvel, Richard J. Scaddan, and Paul Vangasse "Kilometric baseline space interferometry", Proc. SPIE 2807, Space Telescopes and Instruments IV, (12 October 1996); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.255123

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