NASA is exploring options for innovative and imaginative uses of two large space telescopes recently transferred to the agency. In a request for information (RFI) published Monday, NASA seeks information about system concepts and architectures that would take advantage of these assets to address NASA’s goals in astrophysics, heliophysics, planetary sciences, and human spaceflight.
“Because there are two telescopes, there is room for projects that span the gamut of the imagination,” said Michael Moore, a senior program executive at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “They range from simple balloon flights to complex missions in science using new technologies under development and the capabilities available with the International Space Station and our commercial space flight partners.”
“We will give all ideas equal consideration and choose the most promising for further study,” said Marc Allen, acting deputy associate administrator for research in NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. “We want to tap into innovative ideas wherever we can find them in order to optimize use of these telescope assets.”The RFI invites interested parties to provide an outline of their concept in enough detail for a next-step assessment by NASA as it prepares for future investments in diverse areas of science and technology. Respondents who submit the most interesting concepts will be invited to present their ideas at a workshop in Huntsville, Ala., in early February 2013.
For more information about the RFI, NASA goals and objectives, details on the telescopes, and other supporting information, visit: http://science.nasa.gov/salso
In early 2011, NASA was given access to residual hardware (shown as drawings above) that could form the basis of a space based observatory. This equipment has the potential to greatly reduce the cost of a major facility. It consists of 2 sets of space qualified telescope hardware with a 2.4 meter f/1.2, lightweight ULE primary mirror configured in an f/8 system with < 20% Obstructed Aperture. The unvignetted field of view is approximately 1.80 Diameter and the wavefront quality is less than 60 nm rms. The system is designed for actuated secondary mirror positioning.
No comments yet.