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NASA NTRS · 20160014556

Configurable Aperture Space Telescope

Ennico, Kimberly·Vassigh, Kenny·Bendek, Selman·Young, Zion W·Lynch, Dana H.
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Abstract

In December 2014, we were awarded Center Innovation Fund to evaluate an optical and mechanical concept for a novel implementation of a segmented telescope based on modular, interconnected small sats (satlets). The concept is called CAST, a Configurable Aperture Space Telescope. With a current TRL is 2 we will aim to reach TLR 3 in Sept 2015 by demonstrating a 2x2 mirror system to validate our optical model and error budget, provide strawman mechanical architecture and structural damping analyses, and derive future satlet-based observatory performance requirements. CAST provides an alternative access to visible andor UV wavelength space telescope with 1-meter or larger aperture for NASA SMD Astrophysics and Planetary Science community after the retirement of HST.

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Ennico, Kimberly, Vassigh, Kenny, Bendek, Selman, Young, Zion W, Lynch, Dana H.. 2015-03-03. Configurable Aperture Space Telescope. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20160014556

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