Preliminary Investigation of a Lunar 16 Meter Optical Telescope
The results of a year-long effort to develop a design concept for the structure of a 16 meter lunar optical telescope are presented. Various mounting configurations and mirror configurations...
Dynamic Responses of the Precision Segmented Reflector
This paper concerns a structural simulation effort aimed at studying dynamic responses of the Precision Segmented Reflector when subjected to seismic disturbances. The study results indicated...
Optical Performance Predictions and Testing of a Composite Reflector
This paper describes the structural analysis and the experimental performance evaluation of advanced composite mirror designs for future NASA astrophysics missions. An interdisciplinary...
Monitoring Absolute Sea Level Change
Global-scale monitoring of sea level change is a key component of the U.S. Global Change Research Program. The NOAA Global Sea Level program incorporates state-of-the-art satellite and...
Telerobotic Capabilities for Space Station Operations
Over the past decade, the M.I.T. Space Systems Laboratory has accumulated an extensive data base on space operations typical of those planned for the Space Station, based on integrated...
21st Century Astronomical Observatories on the Moon
The advantages and disadvantages of building astronomical observatories on the Moon are described. In many ways, the Moon is a superior environment for astronomy to that of the Earth's...
Lunar Automatic Photoelectric Telescopes (LAPTs)
I propose a lunar network of modest (approximately 1 m), robust telescopes designed for and dedicated to precise, time-serial monitoring of variable sources. Unhampered by atmospheric...
Advanced Technology for a Lunar Astronomical Observatory
Significant new technologies are required for three proposed telescopes to be operated on the Moon. These technologies are in the areas of contamination/interference control, test and...
A Space Station Millimeter Facility
The design and use of a large millimeter telescope for construction on the planned Space Station (a Space Station Millimeter Facility, SSMF) are described. Such a facility would have manifold...
Big New Radio Telescope Array Listens in on Space
The world's most powerful radio telescope is so sensitive that it can detect a small CB rig operating on a distant planet. The Very Large Array (VLA) Radio Telescope Facility...
New Telescope has Innovative Structural Design
The new optical telescope at Mt. Hopkins, Arizona, is the third largest in the world, but one of the most economical to build. The savings is the result of using 6 lightweight, small mirrors...
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