Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Proceedings of SPIE

Issue

1765

Publication Date

1-1-1993

First Page

41

Last Page

52

Abstract

This paper documents the development of the SPIRIT III telescope from the design through its test activities at SSG, Inc. The SPIRIT III Instrument is the primary infrared instrument on the Mid-Course Space Experiment (MSX). The telescope is an all reflective optical system consisting of twelve mirrors. It represents the largest high straylight rejection, cryogenic telescope built by SSG to date. The nominal collecting aperture is 14 inches. It was designed and built to integrate with a multi-color radiometer and a Michelson interferometer built by the Space Dynamics Laboratory at Utah State University. Key performance features are discussed and measured test data is presented. These include: an internal scan mirror assembly, low scatter mirrors and baffle assemblies, cryogenic optical performance and contamination control. The structural/thermal trade-off issues of a satellite-based cryogenic instrument are presented along with a review of the test techniques and test equipment utilized at SSG to qualify the SPIRIT III telescope.

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