Large space observatories of the 21st century
Abstract
Early in the 21st century, advanced space telescopes will be readied to continue the astronomical observations of the Great Observatories currently under development. This paper describes representative concepts from the very large UV/optical and gamma-ray telescopes under study by NASA, the scientific community, and industry. These studies demonstrate that historical approaches to improving the resolution and sensitivity of space telescopes have reached technology barriers which can only be overcome by innovative solutions to the telescope design. Some of the key technology issues which are guiding the approaches for advanced space telescopes are discussed, and arguments are presented that enabling technology development for these future systems must commence now.
- Publication:
-
25th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting
- Pub Date:
- January 1987
- Bibcode:
- 1987aiaa.meetQ....N
- Keywords:
-
- Astronomical Observatories;
- Image Resolution;
- Large Space Structures;
- Spaceborne Telescopes;
- Technological Forecasting;
- Gamma Ray Telescopes;
- Mirrors;
- Modulation Transfer Function;
- Phased Arrays;
- Ultraviolet Telescopes;
- Astronomy