Passive cryogenic structural actuators for the Next-Generation Space Telescope

Alson E. Hatheway Inc. and Moog-Schaeffer Magnetics Division have been developing a new class of structural actuators for use in optical instruments. The actuators feature large stroke (.1 millimeter or more) and high resolution and repeatability (10 nanometers or less) with the strength, stiffness and safety of the structural engineering metal alloys. The actuators use patented elastic transducers to achieve very high resolution and repeatability (better than 10 nanometers) and are driven by electrical stepper motors which provide remote operation and digital control.) One application for the actuators is the Next Generation Space Telescope (NGST) which is one of the programs in NASA's Origins Mission.