Parametric modeling of space telescope architectures

Elizabeth Jordan; Andrzej Stewart; Scott A. Uebelhart; Deborah Howell; David W. Miller

doi:10.1117/12.669502

15 June 2006 Parametric modeling of space telescope architectures

Elizabeth Jordan, Andrzej Stewart, Scott A. Uebelhart, Deborah Howell, David W. Miller

Proceedings Volume 6265, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation I: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter; 62652S (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.669502
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2006, Orlando, Florida , United States

Abstract

Development of low-cost, lightweight space imaging systems requires a combination of technologies including lightweight optics to reduce the areal density of the mirrors and application of controls-structures technologies to compensate for the increased flexibility of these systems. These new design technologies have led to many new possibilities for architectures of large space telescopes, creating a necessity for new design tools during the conceptual design phase. The MIT Space Systems Laboratory (MIT-SSL) is examining alternative architectures for a Modular Optical Space Telescope (MOST) by developing a tool to automatically generate unique realizations of a spacecraft based upon parametric inputs to the model. This tool allows system metrics to be evaluated across combinations of design variables so that promising architecture families utilizing different technologies can be identified on the basis of system performance. This paper will describe advances to the structural components of the MOST model, particularly the primary mirror and secondary support tower. Lightweight, rib-stiffened mirrors and a variety of geometries for a lightweight secondary support tower have been modeled. Both of these parameterized sub-components can be analyzed to determine the effects of changing geometries on the structural stiffness. These advanced components can then be used in the system in order to more fully understand the effects of lightweight structures on the system performance metrics.

Citation Download Citation

Elizabeth Jordan, Andrzej Stewart, Scott A. Uebelhart, Deborah Howell, and David W. Miller "Parametric modeling of space telescope architectures", Proc. SPIE 6265, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation I: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter, 62652S (15 June 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.669502

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