Support and servicing requirements for large observatories in space

Abstract

The concept of lunar optical and IR observatories is a natural step in the total utilization of the space environment for the benefit of science. Among the challenges associated with this remote observatory concept is the requirement for the support and servicing of the facility. This presentation will draw on the experience of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) program on-orbit maintenance design requirements plus the Lockheed on-orbit servicing and assembly activity to develop requirements for the maintenance and construction of a lunar observatory.