Optical Scatter From a Space Craft Mirror Due to Microscopic Impacts
This article addresses the issue of how micrometeoroid and man made debris in the space environment can adversely change the optical resolution of a mirror. The study used an algorithm...
Effects of Dust and Thermal Cycling on Telescope Mirror Performance
In this study, 1 cm ? 1 cm square optical-grade aluminized glass mirrors were measured for maximum light reflectance and then the loss of reflectance due to the presence of different specific...
Very Low Frequency Radio Astronomy from Lunar Orbit
This paper discusses the use of very low frequency aperture synthesis as a probe of astrophysical phenomena. Specifically, the science achievable with the Lunar Observer Radio Astronomy...
An Inflatable Antenna for Space-Based Low-Frequency Radio Astronomy
Antennas for a low-frequency orbiting radio telescope must have minimal problems in deployment, a directional beam, and a wide-angle scanning capability. Inflatable antennas with deposited...
Low Frequency Radio Astronomy from Earth or Lunar Orbit
Acquiring data at low frequencies is complicated by the fact that the ionosphere strongly disturbs the data, especially for high-resolution ground-based telescopes. The most viable observational...
An Ultra-Lightweight Advanced Technology Telescope for Space Applications
We propose a new type of telescope designed specifically for space and lunar applications. The optical reflecting surfaces of the telescope are made by replication onto thin ultra-lightweight...
The Lunar Ultraviolet Telescope Experiment (LUTE)
The Lunar Ultraviolet Telescope Experiment (LITE) is a feasible scientific payload which could initiate a unique ultraviolet (UV) sky survey from the lunar surface prior to our manned...
Operations Analysis for a Large Lunar Telescope
With the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope a new generation of science optical observatories was made a reality. Astronomers and scientists have long seen space as having inherit advantages...
NASA's Future Plans for Space Astronomy and Astrophysics
This paper presents NASA's plans for future space astronomy and astrophysics through the first decade of the next century. Discussed will be specific missions and mission concepts, as...
The Proposed NASA Lunar-Based Astronomical Observatories
The goals of the Space Exploration Initiative are a manned return to the Moon, a permanent lunar outpost and then a manned expedition to Mars. This presents an opportunity to construct...
System Concepts for a Series of Lunar Optical Telescopes
The Lunar Telescope Working Group of the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), NASA, has conducted conceptual studies of an evolutionary family of UV/optical/IR telescopes to be based on...
Mitigation of Adverse Environmental Effects on Lunar-Based Astronomical Instruments
The galactic cosmic-ray flux incident on the Moon was examined for its potential adverse impact on the performance of the large lunar telescope (LLT) proposed as a part of NASA's Space...
Thermal Investigation of a Large Lunar Telescope
Recent interest in construction of a large telescope on the Lunar surface (Nein and Davis, 1991; Bely, Burrows, and Illingworth, 1989) has prompted this feasibility study of a thermal...
Developing Technologies for Lunar-Based Astronomy
The Moon is probably the best place in the inner solar system to locate a new generation of astronomical observatories. The thrust of space program planning is toward a return to the Moon...
The Lunar Transit Telescope (LTT): An Early Lunar-Based Science and Engineering Mission
The moon is an excellent spacecraft, with mass, rotational, thermal and orbital properties which make its utilization as a base for astronomical observations superbly reasonable. The Lunar...
Lunar Transit Telescope Lander Design
The lunar surface offers a unique platform for telescopes to observe distant planets. The absence of significant atmosphere provides clarity that is of orders of magnitude better when...
Some Considerations for Instrumentation for a Lunar-Based Solar Observatory
Outstanding problems in solar physics, observational trends and directions of instrumental development in solar astronomy are discussed briefly. These lead to the specification of observational...
Low Frequency Astronomy from Lunar Orbit
The Radio Astronomy Explorer satellite verified that the far-side of the Moon is well shielded from manmade and natural Earth-based interference at frequencies below 30 MHz. Above a few...
Laboratory Evaluation of Footings for Lunar Telescopes
Presented here are the results of laboratory experiments with different footing shapes for lunar telescopes. These experiments used a variety of soils including some to simulate regolith...
Design of a Support and Foundation for a Large Lunar Optical Telescope
NASA is considering a large lunar telescope [LLT] and a smaller diameter precursor telescope experiment on the Moon. The preliminary design of the 16-meter optical aperture is being performed...
Return to search