Mission optimization of the Space Infrared Telescope Facility
The Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) mission based on a cryogenically cooled telescope is described. The SIRTF makes it possible to perform background limited measurements with three focal plane instruments in the wavelength range 2-700 microns over the entire celestial sphere for at least five years. A telescope performance limited by the natural astrophysical background between 2 to 300 microns is achieved by using a superfluid helium cryogenic system for maintaining the forebaffle temperature below 8 K. The attitude control system based on Extreme Ultra-Violet Explorer reaction wheels meets the large and small angle slew requirements and provides 0.15 arc sec pointing stability. The present HEO baseline configuration has a mass of 4370 kg. The future Titan IV/Centaur launch capability to 100,000 km for a SIRTF-sized payload is at least 5770 kg.