Evaluation of a demonstration telescope for the Pluto express mission

Malcolm B. McIntosh; Robert J. Brown; S. Alan Stern

doi:10.1117/12.256218

1 November 1996 Evaluation of a demonstration telescope for the Pluto express mission

Malcolm B. McIntosh, Robert J. Brown, S. Alan Stern

Proceedings Volume 2863, Current Developments in Optical Design and Engineering VI; (1996) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.256218
Event: SPIE's 1996 International Symposium on Optical Science, Engineering, and Instrumentation, 1996, Denver, CO, United States

Abstract

The Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corporation and Southwest Research Institute have built a three mirror anastigmat telescope as a proof-of-concept, working model of the visible camera system for the highly integrated Pluto payload system (HIPPS) intended for use on the Pluto Express mission. This instrument is unique due to its small size, light weight (less than 2.5 kg) and bolt together design. The all aluminum construction allows the unit to operate over a wide temperature range. The system was designed to have a 5.8 by 0.2 degree field of view, 650 mm effective focal length, 75 mm diameter entrance pupil and a 26 micrometer spot size. The initial version of this telescope utilized diamond turned aluminum mirrors due to cost and schedule limitations. The scattering and imaging properties of this telescope were evaluated. A baffle system was designed and installed to reduce stray light in the system. To improve system performance, the mirrors were resurfaced with electroless nickel, diamond turned and post polished. The stray light performance of the system before and after resurfacing the optics is discussed. Future performance testing plans for this system are presented.

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Malcolm B. McIntosh, Robert J. Brown, and S. Alan Stern "Evaluation of a demonstration telescope for the Pluto express mission", Proc. SPIE 2863, Current Developments in Optical Design and Engineering VI, (1 November 1996); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.256218

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KEYWORDS

Telescopes

Mirrors

Stray light

Imaging systems

Diamond

Pluto

Diamond turning

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