The gravity probe B relativity mission uses a fused-quartz optical star tracking telescope as the sensor for the control system which points the spacecraft towards its guide star. The telescope is cooled to <5 K while the readout which uses photodiodes and JFET preamps operates at 72 K. It is mounted on the front end of the telescope with a thermal standoff. Analysis indicates that the telescope is capable of providing sub-milli-arc-second (marcs) pointing stability information with an angular pointing noise of < 21 marcs/ square root (Hz) for the guide star IM Pegasi. We describe the design of the telescope and test results under nominal operating conditions. Analysis of the expected performance of the telescope in flight, based on the test results, is also presented.
Science telescope for Gravity Probe B
2003
11 Seiten, 13 Quellen
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Englisch
The Gravity Probe-B star-tracking telescope
Elsevier | 2003
|The Gravity Probe-B star-tracking telescope
Online Contents | 2003
|The Gravity Probe-B Star-Tracking Telescope
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2003
|Status of the Cryogenic Telescope and Guide Star for Gravity Probe B
Online Contents | 2000
|Status of the Cryogenic Telescope and Guide Star for Gravity Probe B
British Library Conference Proceedings | 2000
|