Future large-aperture UVOIR space observatory: reference designs

Abstract. Our joint NASA GSFC/JPL/MSFC and STScI study team has used community-developed science goals to derive mission needs, design parameters, notional instruments, and candidate mission architectures for a future large-aperture, noncryogenic UVOIR space observatory. We describe the feasibility assessment of system dynamic stability that supports coronagraphy. The observatory is in a Sun–Earth L2 orbit, which provides a stable thermal environment and excellent field of regard. Reference designs include a 36-segment 9.2-m aperture telescope that stows within a 5-m diameter launch vehicle fairing. This paper presents results from the latest cycle of integrated modeling through January 2016. The latest findings support the feasibility of secondary mirror support struts with a thickness on the order of an inch. Thin struts were found not to have a significant negative effect on wavefront error stability. Struts with a width as small as 1 in. may benefit some coronagraph designs by allowing more optical throughput.