Predicted optical performance of the high-altitude balloon experiment (HABE) telescope in an adverse thermal environment

Ronald L. Akau; Richard C. Givler; Daniel R. Eastman

doi:10.1117/12.178973

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5 July 1994 Predicted optical performance of the high-altitude balloon experiment telescope in an adverse thermal environment

Ronald L. Akau, Richard C. Givler, Daniel R. Eastman

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Proceedings Volume 2221, Acquisition, Tracking, and Pointing VIII; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.178973
Event: SPIE's International Symposium on Optical Engineering and Photonics in Aerospace Sensing, 1994, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

The High-Altitude Balloon Experiment telescope was designed to operate at an ambient temperature of -55 degree(s)C and an altitude of 26 km, using a precooled primary mirror. Although at this altitude the air density is only 1.4 percent of the value at sea level, the temperature gradients within the telescope are high enough to deform the optical wavefront. This problem is considerably lessened by precooling the primary mirror to -35 degree(s)C. This paper describes the application of several codes to determine the range of wavefront deformation during a mission.

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Ronald L. Akau, Richard C. Givler, and Daniel R. Eastman "Predicted optical performance of the high-altitude balloon experiment telescope in an adverse thermal environment", Proc. SPIE 2221, Acquisition, Tracking, and Pointing VIII, (5 July 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.178973

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