Electromagnetics and orbital mechanics of a Sun occulting screen

Richard R. Zito

doi:10.1117/12.500122

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30 January 2004 Electromagnetics and orbital mechanics of a Sun occulting screen

Richard R. Zito

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Proceedings Volume 5166, UV/Optical/IR Space Telescopes: Innovative Technologies and Concepts; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.500122
Event: Optical Science and Technology, SPIE's 48th Annual Meeting, 2003, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The concept of a Sun occulting screen alows a large space telescope to be shielded from solar UV, visible, and IR radiation. Telescope operation in the screen's shadow reduces background radiation from scattering off telescope structures, and reduces expansion and contraction of the telescopes physical dimensions due to changes in solar heating. It is possible to design a non-conducting Sun occulting screen that travels in tandem with a large space telescope such that both the screen and the telescope travel in Sun synchronous orbits that do not cross. The constant separation distance between the screen and the telescope is on the order of 10 Km (far enough from the screen to minimize any radiated IR from the warm screen). The focus of the space telescope's elliptical (or circular) orbit lies at the Earth's center. However, the focus of the screen's orbit will lie at a point displaced toward the Sun, from the Earth's center, by the screen/telescope separation distance. It will be shown that by passing a small photoelectric current through a few turns of wire surrounding the screen, a Lorentz force can be generated that is sufficient to maintain the position of the screen's shifted orbital focal point.

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Richard R. Zito "Electromagnetics and orbital mechanics of a Sun occulting screen", Proc. SPIE 5166, UV/Optical/IR Space Telescopes: Innovative Technologies and Concepts, (30 January 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.500122

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