US 12,422,662 B2
Versatile space telescope
Ewan Douglas, Tucson, AZ (US); and Dae Wook Kim, Tucson, AZ (US)
Assigned to ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, Tucson, AZ (US)
Filed by ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, Tucson, AZ (US)
Filed on Aug. 2, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/879,374.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/228,284, filed on Aug. 2, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0194849 A1, Jun. 22, 2023
Int. Cl. G02B 23/06 (2006.01); G02B 7/02 (2021.01); G02B 7/183 (2021.01)
CPC G02B 23/06 (2013.01) [G02B 7/022 (2013.01); G02B 7/183 (2013.01)] 6 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A versatile space telescope adapted for interfacing with a spacecraft and an instrument module, comprising:
a. an aluminum barrel shaped body having a longitudinal optical axis and a proximal end adapted for positioning adjacent the spacecraft via a plurality of threaded holes for capturing a support structure secured to the spacecraft and a distal end adapted for positioning adjacent the instrument module;
b. a first diamond turned, aspheric aluminum mirror having an entrance pupil and positioned adjacent the distal end of the barrel shaped body and sharing the longitudinal optical axis;
c. a second diamond turned, aspheric aluminum mirror creating an exit pupil and positioned adjacent the proximal end of the barrel shaped body and sharing the longitudinal optical axis;
d. at least one heater integrated with the barrel shaped body to provide thermal control;
e. a hex plate attached to the barrel shaped body, positioned in longitudinally spaced relation from the first mirror and sharing the longitudinal optical axis;
f. a plano-convex aspheric lens supported by the hex plate and positioned along the longitudinal optical axis; and
g. a plurality of flexures interconnecting the hex plate to the first mirror.