Development of a sparse-aperture testbed for optomechanical control of space-deployable structures

Abstract

This paper presents an overview of the development and capabilities of a space-traceable testbed developed for investigation of research issues related to deployable space telescopes. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is developing the Deployable Optical Telescope (DOT), which upon completion will be a fully-deployable, sub-scale, space-traceable ground testbed for development and demonstration of critical technologies for the next-generation of space-optics systems. The paper begins with an overview of the DOT project's technology goals, including the specific performance objectives of the various technologies that are being incorporated into the DOT testbed. The paper presents an overview of the DOT design, including the central integrating structure, deployable primary mirror petals, deployable secondary tower, deployment mechanisms, lightweight mirror segments, metrology, and control systems. The paper concludes with a report on the cunent status of DOT activities as well as a view of the future research that is planned for the project.

Design of a type of deployable/retractable mechanism using friction self-locking joint units

“…Furthermore, relevant designs include the FAST mast for the International Space Station [17], the Deployable Optical Telescope [18], the Extendable and Retractable Mast [19], the Sula Boom for the Cibola Flight Experiment Satellite [20], the CFRP Boom and the DLR Boom [21]. New designs can be proposed by using the self-locking joint, which should improve the performance of the deployable mechanisms.…”

Sequential multisine excitation signals for system identification of large space structures

“…The Deployable Optical Telescope (DOT) is a space-traceable sparse-aperture telescope developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory [7,8]. The weight and volume restrictions imposed by launch vehicles are the main impediments to fielding large aperture space telescopes.…”

Broadband adaptive disturbance rejection for a deployable optical telescope testbed

“…DOT is a fully deployable, ground-based, sub-scale, spacetraceable testbed [1][2][3]. Specifically, DOT is a sparse-array telescope with three deployable primary mirror segments, a deployable secondary tower, and a laser metrology system.…”

“…To explore the issues associated with fielding a lightweight deployable telescope, the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) developed the Deployable Optical Telescope (DOT) [1][2][3]. DOT is a fully deployable, ground-based, space-traceable optical telescope.…”