Shades Would Keep Infrared Telescope Cold

Abstract

Report proposes use of multiple shades to prevent solar heating of infrared telescope in high orbit around Earth. Shades part of lightweight stowable structure deployed by inflating it. Shades oriented so as not to interfere with field of view of telescope. In conjunction with telescope design providing for passive self-cooling by radiation to outer space in directions away from sun, multilayer shade design with provision for similar radiative cooling enables telescope to reach low temperature in range of 10 to 30 K.