Design and performance analysis of the wide-field infrared explorer H2/H2 cryostat

Brenda J. Costanzo; Philip A. Menteur; Scott H. Schick; W. G. Foster Jr.

doi:10.1117/12.254137

14 October 1996 Design and performance analysis of the wide-field infrared explorer H2/H2 cryostat

Brenda J. Costanzo, Philip A. Menteur, Scott H. Schick, W. G. Foster Jr.

Proceedings Volume 2814, Cryogenic Optical Systems and Instruments VII; (1996) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.254137
Event: SPIE's 1996 International Symposium on Optical Science, Engineering, and Instrumentation, 1996, Denver, CO, United States

Abstract

The wide-field infrared explorer (WIRE) is a small explorer (SMEX) mission that will fly in the fall of 1998. The WIRE mission proposes to conduct a 4-month survey of more than 100 degree² of sky using 12- and 25-micrometers detectors. The instrument requires cryogenic cooling of its focal planes and telescope in order to achieve the required performance sensitivity. In addition, because of the SMEX nature of the experiment, the mass of the cryostat must be less than 60 kg. The most mass efficient system meeting the lifetime requirement was determined to be a dual stage H₂/H₂ cryostat. The focal planes are conductively cooled by the primary H₂ while the telescope is cooled by the secondary H₂. The secondary H₂ also protects the primary H₂ by intercepting the parasitic heat loads. This paper describes the design and performance of the H₂/H₂ cryostat.

Citation Download Citation

Brenda J. Costanzo, Philip A. Menteur, Scott H. Schick, and W. G. Foster Jr. "Design and performance analysis of the wide-field infrared explorer H2/H2 cryostat", Proc. SPIE 2814, Cryogenic Optical Systems and Instruments VII, (14 October 1996); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.254137

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