Optics design and performance for the Cosmic Hot Interstellar Plasma Spectrometer (CHIPS)

Michael Sholl; William Donakowski; Geoffrey A. Gaines; Michael L. Lampton; Mark Hurwitz; Martin M. Sirk; Ellen Riddle Taylor

doi:10.1117/12.515602

8 December 2003 Optics design and performance for the Cosmic Hot Interstellar Plasma Spectrometer (CHIPS)

Michael Sholl, William Donakowski, Geoffrey A. Gaines, Michael L. Lampton, Mark Hurwitz, Martin M. Sirk, Ellen Riddle Taylor

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 5164, UV/EUV and Visible Space Instrumentation for Astronomy II; (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.515602
Event: Optical Science and Technology, SPIE's 48th Annual Meeting, 2003, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The CHIPS observatory was launched on 12 January 2003, and is the first UNEX (NASA Goddard Spaceflight Center University Explorer class) mission. It is currently on-orbit and performing diffuse spectroscopy in the 90-260Å wavelength band. The instrument is integrated with a custom 3-axis stabilized mini-satellite, designed for roughly one year of operation. The purpose of the observatory is examination of details of the local bubble thermal pressure, spatial distribution and ionization history. The spectrometer consists of six spectrograph channels which deliver >lambda/100 resolution spectra to a single detector. Cost constraints of UNEX led to a design based on a traditional aluminum structure, and an instrument with a large field of view (5° x 26°) for the dual purpose of increasing sensitivity in the photon-starved 90-260Å band, and to reduce requirements on spacecraft pointing. All optomechanical systems on the spectrometer, including coalignment, thermal, front cover and vacuum door release are performing well on orbit. We discuss design, test and operational performance of these systems, as well as launch loads and thermal system considerations.

Citation Download Citation

Michael Sholl, William Donakowski, Geoffrey A. Gaines, Michael L. Lampton, Mark Hurwitz, Martin M. Sirk, and Ellen Riddle Taylor "Optics design and performance for the Cosmic Hot Interstellar Plasma Spectrometer (CHIPS)", Proc. SPIE 5164, UV/EUV and Visible Space Instrumentation for Astronomy II, (8 December 2003); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.515602

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