Visual photographic, and interferometric tests were performed on the space shuttle overhead windows to characterize the optical quality of these windows. An Air Force tri-bar target was viewed with an 8-in. telescope and a 5-in. telescope for the photographic and visual tests. A Zygo Mark IV interferometer was used for the interferometric tests. Results showed that the windows significantly degraded the performance of both telescopes. At least a 160% degradation in resolution was seen. The results of an independent test conducted by the Armstrong Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory are reviewed and found to corroborate the Aerospace results.
Space Shuttle Overhead Windows, Optical Tests
1991
79 pages
Report
No indication
English
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