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MIT's interferometer CST testbedThe MIT Space Engineering Research Center (SERC) has developed a controlled structures technology (CST) testbed based on one design for a space-based optical interferometer. The role of the testbed is to provide a versatile platform for experimental investigation and discovery of CST approaches. In particular, it will serve as the focus for experimental verification of CSI methodologies and control strategies at SERC. The testbed program has an emphasis on experimental CST--incorporating a broad suite of actuators and sensors, active struts, system identification, passive damping, active mirror mounts, and precision component characterization. The SERC testbed represents a one-tenth scaled version of an optical interferometer concept based on an inherently rigid tetrahedral configuration with collecting apertures on one face. The testbed consists of six 3.5 meter long truss legs joined at four vertices and is suspended with attachment points at three vertices. Each aluminum leg has a 0.2 m by 0.2 m by 0.25 m triangular cross-section. The structure has a first flexible mode at 31 Hz and has over 50 global modes below 200 Hz. The stiff tetrahedral design differs from similar testbeds (such as the JPL Phase B) in that the structural topology is closed. The tetrahedral design minimizes structural deflections at the vertices (site of optical components for maximum baseline) resulting in reduced stroke requirements for isolation and pointing of optics. Typical total light path length stability goals are on the order of lambda/20, with a wavelength of light, lambda, of roughly 500 nanometers. It is expected that active structural control will be necessary to achieve this goal in the presence of disturbances.
Document ID
19930016647
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Hyde, Tupper
(Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. Cambridge, MA, United States)
Kim, ED
(Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. Cambridge, MA, United States)
Anderson, Eric
(Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. Cambridge, MA, United States)
Blackwood, Gary
(Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. Cambridge, MA, United States)
Lublin, Leonard
(Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. Cambridge, MA, United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 1990
Publication Information
Publication: MIT Space Engineering Research Center
Subject Category
Ground Support Systems And Facilities (Space)
Accession Number
93N25836
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-1335
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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