Lessons learned in the optical design of the Next-Generation Space Telescope

James B. Hadaway; Mark E. Wilson; David C. Redding; Robert A. Woodruff

doi:10.1117/12.324520

28 August 1998 Lessons learned in the optical design of the Next-Generation Space Telescope

James B. Hadaway, Mark E. Wilson, David C. Redding, Robert A. Woodruff

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 3356, Space Telescopes and Instruments V; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.324520
Event: Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 1998, Kona, HI, United States

Abstract

Over the past two years, a team of researchers led by the Goddard Space Flight Center has developed a conceptual design for the NGST. The optical design of the optical telescope assembly (OTA) as well as the integrated science instrument module (ISIM) has presented many challenges. As currently envisioned, the NGST is an 8 m class telescope capable of diffraction-limited imaging at a wavelength of 2 microns operating at L2 at a temperature of around 40 K. The baseline design incorporates features such as a segmented primary mirror, deployable optical components, and active optics including a deformable mirror and fast steering mirror. In this paper, we describe the development of the conceptual design, discuss the trade-offs involving performance versus complexity, packaging, and cost, and then highlight some of the more important lessons that have been learned in the process. The interaction between the OTA and the ISIM is also discussed. It is hoped that this paper can provide insight and/or guidance to those who ar or will be working on the continuing refinement of the optical design of the NGST.

Citation Download Citation

James B. Hadaway, Mark E. Wilson, David C. Redding, and Robert A. Woodruff "Lessons learned in the optical design of the Next-Generation Space Telescope", Proc. SPIE 3356, Space Telescopes and Instruments V, (28 August 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.324520

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