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Dimensional stability testing on a space optical bench structure

Dimensional stability testing on a space optical bench structure
Dimensional stability testing on a space optical bench structure
High-performance space-based optical systems typically require structures that exhibit high levels of dimensional stability over their lifetimes. To better understand the mechanisms for dimensional instability, a novel series of tests were carried out at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory on a breadboard high-stability optical bench structure. Goals of the testing were to assess the relative stability of a pair of reference surfaces and to determine the contributions of various structural elements and joints to dimensional instability. The breadboard was subject to an intensive environmental test campaign that included thermal cycling under vacuum and random vibration testing. Metrology was performed throughout the campaign to assess the dimensional stability response to the various environmental loads. The metrology requirement was challenging, with measurements of micron-level displacement and arcsecond- level tilt over 1-meter distances being necessary in situ during environmental testing. This issue was resolved using a combination of techniques: a contacting coordinate measurement machine, laser interferometry, and optical autocollimation. The greatest levels of instability were produced by random vibration testing, though evidence of a bedding-in process implies that vibratory conditioning could be used to improve stability.
0001-1452
219-228
Edson, Ruben
75afef2a-43ea-44d0-a6fe-c571ebc170fd
Morris, Nigel
688802d3-edbc-4ab5-9e88-3c53eb487d2e
Tatnall, Adrian
2c9224b6-4faa-4bfd-9026-84e37fa6bdf3
Aglietti, Guglielmo
e44d0dd4-0f71-4399-93d2-b802365cfb9e
Edson, Ruben
75afef2a-43ea-44d0-a6fe-c571ebc170fd
Morris, Nigel
688802d3-edbc-4ab5-9e88-3c53eb487d2e
Tatnall, Adrian
2c9224b6-4faa-4bfd-9026-84e37fa6bdf3
Aglietti, Guglielmo
e44d0dd4-0f71-4399-93d2-b802365cfb9e

Edson, Ruben, Morris, Nigel, Tatnall, Adrian and Aglietti, Guglielmo (2009) Dimensional stability testing on a space optical bench structure. AIAA Journal, 47 (1), 219-228. (doi:10.2514/1.38228).

Record type: Article

Abstract

High-performance space-based optical systems typically require structures that exhibit high levels of dimensional stability over their lifetimes. To better understand the mechanisms for dimensional instability, a novel series of tests were carried out at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory on a breadboard high-stability optical bench structure. Goals of the testing were to assess the relative stability of a pair of reference surfaces and to determine the contributions of various structural elements and joints to dimensional instability. The breadboard was subject to an intensive environmental test campaign that included thermal cycling under vacuum and random vibration testing. Metrology was performed throughout the campaign to assess the dimensional stability response to the various environmental loads. The metrology requirement was challenging, with measurements of micron-level displacement and arcsecond- level tilt over 1-meter distances being necessary in situ during environmental testing. This issue was resolved using a combination of techniques: a contacting coordinate measurement machine, laser interferometry, and optical autocollimation. The greatest levels of instability were produced by random vibration testing, though evidence of a bedding-in process implies that vibratory conditioning could be used to improve stability.

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Submitted date: January 2009
Published date: January 2009

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 69752
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/69752
ISSN: 0001-1452
PURE UUID: da296fad-b483-4b3b-a18d-5e9f80819040

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Date deposited: 02 Dec 2009
Last modified: 13 Mar 2024 19:44

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Contributors

Author: Ruben Edson
Author: Nigel Morris
Author: Adrian Tatnall
Author: Guglielmo Aglietti

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