JPL Technical Report Server

Shaping of parabolic cylindrical membrane reflectors for the Dart Precision Test Bed

Shaping of parabolic cylindrical membrane reflectors for the Dart Precision Test Bed

Morgan, R.; Agnes, Gregory S.; Dragovan, M.; Barber, D.; Marcin, M.; White, C.; Dooley, J.; Hatheway, A.
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/2014/37943
Date: 2004-04
Keywords: large aperture; membrane; telescope
Publisher: Pasadena, CA : Jet Propulsion Laboratory, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 2004.
Citation: AIAA Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference, Palm Springs, CA, April 19-22, 2004

Abstract:

The DART is a new telescope architecture consisting of a single aperture formed from two cylindrical parabolic reflectors. The system is ideally suited to using tensioned membranes for the reflective surfaces, owing to the zero Gaussian curvature of a cylindrical parabola. In this paper, we present experimental measurements for shaping the membranes by using curved boundary elements to achieve coarse shaping, and a pair of precision rails shaped by moments and forces at the ends, and lightly pushed into the surface, to provide fine shape control.

Show full item record

Items in TRS are protected by copyright, but are furnished with U.S. government purpose use rights.

Files in this item

Thumbnail
Name: 04-1118.pdf
Size: 1.736Mb
Format: PDF
View/Open

This item appears in the following Collection(s)

Search


Browse

My Account