Allowing the location of the primary vs secondary mirrors to be movable in space, the articulated primary mirror (APM) was designed as an inexpensive alternative, providing stable imagery, for the Solar Optical Telescope (SOT). Requirements of high resolution in the sub-arc-second region, and the ability to point the telescope through the Instrument Pointing System (IPS) were satisfied. Alignment sensors, contained within the subsystem, locate the points of coincidence of the foci of the primary and secondary optics (conic foci). These are utilized as inputs for subsystem actuators to correct via the digital controller algorithm.
Articulated primary mirror /APM/ for the Solar Optical Telescope /SOT/
Seminar on Shuttle pointing of electro-optical experiments ; 1981 ; Los Angeles, CA
1981-01-01
Miscellaneous
No indication
English