Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer science payload update

Mark F. Larsen; Harri Latvakoski; Amanda K. Mainzer; Scott Schick; Joel Drake

doi:10.1117/12.789672

12 July 2008 Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer science payload update

Mark F. Larsen, Harri Latvakoski, Amanda K. Mainzer, Scott Schick, Joel Drake

Proceedings Volume 7010, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2008: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter; 70100G (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.789672
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2008, Marseille, France

Abstract

The Wide Field Infrared Survey Explorer is a NASA Medium Class Explorer mission to perform a high-sensitivity, high resolution, all-sky survey in four infrared wavelength bands. The science payload is a 40 cm aperture cryogenically cooled infrared telescope with four 10242 infrared focal plane arrays covering from 2.8 to 26 μm. Mercury cadmium telluride (MCT) detectors are used for the 3.3 μm and 4.6 μm channels, and Si:As detectors are used for the 12 μm and 23 μm wavelength channels. A cryogenic scan mirror freezes the field of view on the sky over the 9.9-second frame integration time. A two-stage solid hydrogen cryostat provides cooling to temperatures less than 17 K and 8.3 K at the telescope and Si:As focal planes, respectively. The science payload collects continuous data on orbit for the seven-month baseline mission with a goal to support a year-long mission, if possible. As of the writing of this paper, the payload subassemblies are complete, and the payload has begun integration and test. This paper provides a payload overview and discusses instrument status and performance.

Citation Download Citation

Mark F. Larsen, Harri Latvakoski, Amanda K. Mainzer, Scott Schick, and Joel Drake "Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer science payload update", Proc. SPIE 7010, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2008: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter, 70100G (12 July 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.789672

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