Cost-effective advanced technology telescope system for detecting near-Earth objects and space debris

Syuzo Isobe; James E. Mulherin; Scott P. Way; Elwood C. Downey; Koichi Nishimura; Izumi Doi; Masatoshi Saotome

doi:10.1117/12.393942

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2 August 2000 Cost-effective advanced technology telescope system for detecting near-Earth objects and space debris

Syuzo Isobe, James E. Mulherin, Scott P. Way, Elwood C. Downey, Koichi Nishimura, Izumi Doi, Masatoshi Saotome

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Proceedings Volume 4004, Telescope Structures, Enclosures, Controls, Assembly/Integration/Validation, and Commissioning; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.393942
Event: Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 2000, Munich, Germany

Abstract

We are currently constructing a 0.5-meter and a 1-meter wide-field telescope that will operate in tandem to detect and track Near Earth Objects and space debris. The telescopes have a single flat-plane Cassegrain focus, are optimized for a specific range of wavelengths of light, a small focal ratio with a wide field of view, and hold a single multi-chip CCD camera as their only observational instrument. Because these telescopes are designed for a specific type of observation, the costs of the telescopes are greatly reduced compared to similar sized multipurpose telescopes systems. To achieve high-quality NEO/Space Debris observations, the manufacturers of the telescope systems, CCD cameras, facilities, and software work together to integrate their cutting-edge technologies into a single robust system. In this paper we discuss the strategy, design, and implementation of our manufacturing team approach to building cost-effective advanced technology telescope systems.

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Syuzo Isobe, James E. Mulherin, Scott P. Way, Elwood C. Downey, Koichi Nishimura, Izumi Doi, and Masatoshi Saotome "Cost-effective advanced technology telescope system for detecting near-Earth objects and space debris", Proc. SPIE 4004, Telescope Structures, Enclosures, Controls, Assembly/Integration/Validation, and Commissioning, (2 August 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.393942

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