SLS launched missions concept studies for LUVOIR mission

H. Philip Stahl; Randall C. Hopkins

doi:10.1117/12.2189852

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22 September 2015 SLS launched missions concept studies for LUVOIR mission

H. Philip Stahl, Randall C. Hopkins

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Proceedings Volume 9602, UV/Optical/IR Space Telescopes and Instruments: Innovative Technologies and Concepts VII; 960206 (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2189852
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2015, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

NASA’s "Enduring Quests Daring Visions" report calls for an 8- to 16-m Large UV-Optical-IR (LUVOIR) Surveyor mission to enable ultra-high-contrast spectroscopy and coronagraphy. AURA’s “From Cosmic Birth to Living Earth” report calls for a 12-m class High-Definition Space Telescope to pursue transformational scientific discoveries. The multi-center ATLAST Team is working to meet these needs. The MSFC Team is examining potential concepts that leverage the advantages of the SLS (Space Launch System). A key challenge is how to affordably get a large telescope into space. The JWST design was severely constrained by the mass and volume capacities of its launch vehicle. This problem is solved by using an SLS Block II-B rocket with its 10-m diameter x 30-m tall fairing and estimated 45 mt payload to SE-L2. Previously, two development study cycles produced a detailed concept called ATLAST-8. Using ATLAST-8 as a point of departure, this paper reports on a new ATLAST-12 concept. ATLAST-12 is a 12-m class segmented aperture LUVOIR with an 8-m class center segment. Thus, ATLAST-8 is now a de-scope option.

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H. Philip Stahl and Randall C. Hopkins "SLS launched missions concept studies for LUVOIR mission", Proc. SPIE 9602, UV/Optical/IR Space Telescopes and Instruments: Innovative Technologies and Concepts VII, 960206 (22 September 2015); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2189852

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