Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Deily, John J..
The design of the Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UIT) Image Motion Compensation System developed for the Columbia's Astro-1 mission is described, and the performance improvements derived through the use of this system are discussed. Flight data are presented, demonstrating the superb image stability achieved by UIT resulting in outstanding scientific data returns.
On August 12, 1990, the Space Shuttle Columbia will carry the ASTRO-1 Spacelab payload into low earth orbit for a ten day mission. This mission will carry out ultraviolet and X-ray observations to study supernovas, galaxies, and other stellar objects. The Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UIT) is one of a cluster of three ultraviolet telescopes mounted on the shuttle-attached three-axis Instrument Pointing System (IPS). Shuttle disturbances such as astronaut crew motion, orbiter thruster firings, and other payload dynamic disturbances induce sufficient errors on the IPS which exceed the UIT jitter requirements. To meet the specified science objectives, an Image Motion Compensation System was designed and implemented for the ASTRO mission. This paper describes the UIT Image Motion Compensation system design and the performance improvements to be derived through use of this system.