The Case for Liquid Mirrors in Orbiting Telescopes
Abstract
The characteristics of very large (10-1000 m diameter) orbiting-liquid mirror telescopes (OLMTs) continuously accelerated by the radiation pressure from the sun on solar sails are considered. OLMTs in halo orbits can be used for pointed observations. Orbit patching would allow access to different regions of the sky. Several practical considerations and issues are addressed.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- June 1992
- DOI:
- 10.1086/171436
- Bibcode:
- 1992ApJ...392..375B
- Keywords:
-
- Mirrors;
- Satellite-Borne Instruments;
- Spaceborne Telescopes;
- Earth Orbital Environments;
- Liquid Metals;
- Pointing Control Systems;
- Radiation Pressure;
- Solar Sails;
- Systems Engineering;
- Tracking (Position);
- Spacecraft Design, Testing and Performance;
- ARTIFICIAL SATELLITES;
- SPACE PROBES;
- TELESCOPES