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4 October 2023 Approaches to lowering the cost of large space telescopes
Ewan S. Douglas, Greg Aldering, Greg W. Allan, Ramya Anche, Roger Angel, Cameron C. Ard, Supriya Chakrabarti, Laird M. Close, Kevin Derby, Jerry Edelstein, John Ford, Jessica Gersh-Range, Sebastiaan Y. Haffert, Patrick J. Ingraham, Hyukmo Kang, Douglas M. Kelly, Daewook Kim, Michael Lesser, Jarron M. Leisenring, Yu-Chia Lin, Jared R. Males, Buddy Martin, Bianca Alondra Payan, Sai Krishanth P. M., David Rubin, Sanford Selznick, Kyle Van Gorkom, Buell T. Jannuzi, Saul Perlmutter
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Proceedings Volume 12677, Astronomical Optics: Design, Manufacture, and Test of Space and Ground Systems IV; 126770D (2023) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2677843
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2023, San Diego, California, United States
Abstract
New development approaches, including launch vehicles and advances in sensors, computing, and software, have lowered the cost of entry into space, and have enabled a revolution in low-cost, high-risk Small Satellite (SmallSat) missions. To bring about a similar transformation in larger space telescopes, it is necessary to reconsider the full paradigm of space observatories. Here we will review the history of space telescope development and cost drivers, and describe an example conceptual design for a low cost 6.5 m optical telescope to enable new science when operated in space at room temperature. It uses a monolithic primary mirror of borosilicate glass, drawing on lessons and tools from decades of experience with ground-based observatories and instruments, as well as flagship space missions. It takes advantage, as do large launch vehicles, of increased computing power and space-worthy commercial electronics in low-cost active predictive control systems to maintain stability. We will describe an approach that incorporates science and trade study results that address driving requirements such as integration and testing costs, reliability, spacecraft jitter, and wavefront stability in this new risk-tolerant “LargeSat” context.
(2023) Published by SPIE. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
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Ewan S. Douglas, Greg Aldering, Greg W. Allan, Ramya Anche, Roger Angel, Cameron C. Ard, Supriya Chakrabarti, Laird M. Close, Kevin Derby, Jerry Edelstein, John Ford, Jessica Gersh-Range, Sebastiaan Y. Haffert, Patrick J. Ingraham, Hyukmo Kang, Douglas M. Kelly, Daewook Kim, Michael Lesser, Jarron M. Leisenring, Yu-Chia Lin, Jared R. Males, Buddy Martin, Bianca Alondra Payan, Sai Krishanth P. M., David Rubin, Sanford Selznick, Kyle Van Gorkom, Buell T. Jannuzi, and Saul Perlmutter "Approaches to lowering the cost of large space telescopes", Proc. SPIE 12677, Astronomical Optics: Design, Manufacture, and Test of Space and Ground Systems IV, 126770D (4 October 2023); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2677843
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KEYWORDS
Space telescopes
Design and modelling
Telescopes
Observatories
Mirrors
James Webb Space Telescope
Equipment
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