Aerostatic platforms, past, present, and future: a prototype for astronomy?

Gerhard F. O. von Appen-Schnur; Reimund Kueke; Ingolf Schaefer; K.-H. Stenvers

doi:10.1117/12.389102

20 June 2000 Aerostatic platforms, past, present, and future: a prototype for astronomy?

Gerhard F. O. von Appen-Schnur, Reimund Kueke, Ingolf Schaefer, K.-H. Stenvers

Proceedings Volume 4014, Airborne Telescope Systems; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.389102
Event: Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 2000, Munich, Germany

Abstract

The terrestrial atmosphere is a great nuisance to astronomical observations of celestial objects--the attenuation due to the water-vapor absorption and the image- sharpness diluting effect caused by thermal turbulence. The alternatives to ground-based telescopes have been hitherto space-based or airplane-borne telescopes. Astronomical telescopes on airship-like structures could circumvent the limitations of the former alternatives. Starting with the airships of the early 20th century we present the modern airships of the 21st century, that will serve as future flying cranes for heavy and spacious loads or quasi- geostationary platforms for telecommunications at heights of 20 km. A 2 m telescope on such an aerostatic platform could serve as a first prototype for an astronomical stratospheric observatory.

Citation Download Citation

Gerhard F. O. von Appen-Schnur, Reimund Kueke, Ingolf Schaefer, and K.-H. Stenvers "Aerostatic platforms, past, present, and future: a prototype for astronomy?", Proc. SPIE 4014, Airborne Telescope Systems, (20 June 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.389102

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