Paper
23 October 1997 Focus optimization of the SPIRIT III radiometer
Author Affiliations +
Abstract
The SPIRIT III (spatial infrared imaging telescope) radiometer is the primary instrument aboard the midcourse space experiment (MSX), which was launched on 24 April 1997. The Space Dynamics Laboratory at Utah State University (SDL/USU) developed and implemented a ground-based procedure to optimize the focus of the SPIRIT III radiometer. The procedure used point source data acquired during ground measurements. These measurements were obtained with a calibration source consisting of an illuminated pinhole near the focus of a cryogenically cooled collimator. Simulated point source measurements were obtained at multiple focus positions by translating the pinhole along the optical axis inside and outside the optimum focus of the collimator. The radiometer was found to be slightly out of focus, and the detector focal plane arrays were moved to positions indicated by the test results. This method employed a single cryogenic cycle to measure both the distance and direction needed to adjust each array for optimal focus. The results of the SPIRIT III on- orbit stellar point source observation demonstrate the success of the technique. This paper describes the method and hardware used to achieve focus optimization.
© (1997) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Joseph J. Tansock Jr. and Andrew L. Shumway "Focus optimization of the SPIRIT III radiometer", Proc. SPIE 3122, Infrared Spaceborne Remote Sensing V, (23 October 1997); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.278994
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KEYWORDS
Radiometry

Radio optics

Space telescopes

Cryogenics

Sensors

Telescopes

Collimators

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