SOFIA performance improvements through active mass damping

Benjamin Greiner; Sonja Hofmann; Jörg F. Wagner

doi:10.1117/12.3019062

11 September 2024 SOFIA performance improvements through active mass damping

Benjamin Greiner, Sonja Hofmann, Jörg F. Wagner

Proceedings Volume 13094, Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes X; 1309444 (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3019062
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2024, Yokohama, Japan

Conference Poster

Abstract

The telescope structure of the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) was subject to vibration excitation due to aircraft motions and airflow. To contribute to the efforts to meet pointing requirements and improve image stability, an active mass damping system for the primary mirror suspension has been designed and implemented during the early years of observatory operation phase. Various reasons had prevented further development for some time, but we were able to reactivate and operate the damping system for a set of selected missions before the premature decommissioning of the observatory. We present analyses from gathered engineering data and from astronomical observations about the effectiveness of the system during those missions and offer a projection on how future SOFIA campaigns would have benefited.

(2024) Published by SPIE. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Citation Download Citation

Benjamin Greiner, Sonja Hofmann, and Jörg F. Wagner "SOFIA performance improvements through active mass damping", Proc. SPIE 13094, Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes X, 1309444 (11 September 2024); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3019062

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available