Engineering topics
Kuan, Gary
Publications and source records attributed to Kuan, Gary.
Predictive Thermal Control (PTC) Technology to Enable Thermally Stable Telescopes: First Two Year Status
Exoplanet science mission concepts require ultra-stable telescopes for multiple hours exposures. Predictive Thermal Control Study (PTCS) matures technology to enable active thermal controlled telescopes required to make ultra-high contrast observations of exoplanets. PTCS' goal is to develop an active thermal control technology that can keep mirrors at a constant temperature (< 10 mK) regardless of where the telescope points on the sky.
Habitable Exoplanet Observatory (HabEx) telescope and optical instruments
This paper details the design of the telescope, the four science instruments and associated optical systems.
Technology Maturity for the Habitable-zone Exoplanet Imaging Mission (HabEx) Concept
HabEx Architecture A is a 4m unobscured telescope mission concept optimized for direct imaging and spectroscopy of potentially habitable exoplanets, and also enables a wide range of general astrophysics science. The exoplanet detection and characterization drives the enabling core technologies. A hybrid starlight suppression approach of a starshade and coronagraph diversifies technology maturation risk. In this paper we assess these exoplanet-driven technologies, including elements of coronagraphs, starshades, mirrors, jitter mitigation, wavefront control, and detectors. By utilizing high technology readiness solutions where feasible, and identifying required technology development that can begin early, HabEx will be well positioned for assessment by the community in 2020 Astrophysics Decadal Survey.
Habitable-Zone Exoplanet Observatory (HabEx) Baseline 4-M Telescope Design and Predicted Performance
The Habitable Exoplanet Observatory Mission (HabEx) is one of four missions under study for the 2020 Astrophysics Decadal Survey. Its goal is to directly image and spectroscopically characterize planetary systems in the habitable zone around nearby sun-like stars. Additionally, HabEx will perform a broad range of general astrophysics science enabled by 100 to 2500 nm spectral range and 3 x 3 arc-minute FOV. Critical to achieving its the HabEx science goals is a large, ultra-stable UV/Optical/Near-IR (UVOIR) telescope. The baseline HabEx telescope is a 4-meter off-axis unobscured three-mirror-anastigmatic, diffraction limited at 400 nm with wavefront stability on the order of a few 10s of picometers. This paper summarizes the opto-mechanical design of the HabEx baseline optical telescope assembly, including a discussion of how science requirements drive the telescope’s specifications, and presents analysis that the baseline telescope structure meets its specified tolerances.
The Habitable Exoplanet (HabEx) imaging mission concept: preliminary science drivers and technical requirements
HabEx is one of 4 possible NASA flagship mission concepts studied for a possible launch in the 2030s. It will be optimized for direct imaging and spectroscopy of habitable exoplanets, and will also enable a wide range of general astrophysics observations. HabEx shall characterize full planetary systems around nearby solar-type stars for the first time, including rocky planets, possible water worlds, gas giants, ice giants, and faint circumstellar debris disks. It will in particular explore our nearest neighbor planetary systems and search for signs of habitability and bio-signatures in the atmospheres of rocky planets. Such high spatial resolution high contrast observations require a large (~3.5 to 8m) stable diffraction- limited optical space telescope, which also opens new unique capabilities for studying the formation and evolution of stars and galaxies. We present here some preliminary science objectives identified for HabEx by our Science and Technology Definition Team (STDT), together with a first look at the key challenges and design trades ahead.
Optical Design of WFIRST-AFTA Wide-Field Instrument
The WFIRSTAFTA Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope TMA optical design provides 0.28-sq FOV at 0.11 pixel scale, operating between 0.6 2.4m, including a spectrograph mode (1.3-1.95m.) An IFU provides a discrete 3x3.15 field at 0.15 sampling.
SIM Lite: Ground Alignment of the Instrument
We present the start of the ground alignment plan for the SIM Lite Instrument. We outline the integration and alignment of the individual benches on which all the optics are mounted, and then the alignment of the benches to form the Science and Guide interferometers. The Instrument has a guide interferometer with only a 40 arc-seconds field of regard, and 200 arc-seconds of alignment adjustability. This requires each sides of the interferometer to be aligned to a fraction of that, while at the same time be orthogonal to the baseline defined by the External Metrology Truss. The baselines of the Science and Guide interferometers must also be aligned to be parallel. The start of these alignment plans is captured in a SysML Instrument System model, in the form of activity diagrams. These activity diagrams are then related to the hardware design and requirements. We finish with future plans for the alignment and integration activities and requirements.
Brassboard Astrometric Beam Combiner (ABC) Development for the Space Interferometry Mission (SIM)
The Astrometric Beam Combiner (ABC) is a critical element of the Space Interferometry Mission (SIM) that performs three key functions: coherently combine starlight from two siderostats; individually detect starlight for angle tracking; and disperse and detect the interferometric fringes. In addition, the ABC contains: a stimulus, cornercubes and shutters for in-orbit calibration; several tip/tilt mirror mechanisms for in-orbit alignment; and internal metrology beam launcher for pathlength monitoring. The detailed design of the brassboard ABC (which has the form, fit and function of the flight unit) is complete, procurement of long-lead items is underway, and assembly and testing is expected to be completed in Spring 2009. In this paper, we present the key requirements for the ABC, details of the completed optical and mechanical design as well as plans for assembly and alignment.