Effects of thermal gradients on the Mars observer camera primary mirror

Roger W. Applewhite; Arthur R. Telkamp

doi:10.1117/12.138015

16 September 1992 The effects of thermal gradients on the Mars Observer Camera primary mirror

Roger W. Applewhite, Arthur R. Telkamp

Proceedings Volume 1690, Design of Optical Instruments; (1992) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.138015
Event: Aerospace Sensing, 1992, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

The paper discusses the effect of thermal gradients on the optical performance of the primary mirror of Mars Observer Camera (MOC), which will be launched on the Mars Observer spacecraft in September 1992. It was found that mild temperature gradients can have a large effect on the mirror surface figure, even for relatively low coefficient-of-thermal-expansion materials. However, in the case of the MOC primary mirror, it was found that the radius of curvature (ROC) of the reflective surface of the mirror changed in a nearly linear fashion with the radial temperature gradient, with little additional aberration. A solid-state ROC controller using the thermal gradient effect was implemented and verified.

Citation Download Citation

Roger W. Applewhite and Arthur R. Telkamp "The effects of thermal gradients on the Mars Observer Camera primary mirror", Proc. SPIE 1690, Design of Optical Instruments, (16 September 1992); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.138015

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