History of Space-Based Infrared Astronomy and the Air Force Infrared Celestial Backgrounds Program
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AFRL-RV-HA-TR-2008-1039 History of Space-Based Infrared Astronomy and the Air Force Infrared Celestial Backgrounds Program S. D. Price 18 April 2008 Approved for Public Release: Distribution Unlimited AIR FORCE RESEARCH LABORATORY Space Vehicles Directorate 29 Randolph Rd. Hanscom AFB, MA 01731-3010 AFRL-RV-HA-TR-2008-1039 This Technical Report has been reviewed and is approved for publication. / signed / ____________________________ Robert A. Morris, Chief Battlespace Environment Division / signed / / signed / _________________ _______________________________ Stephan D. Price Paul Tracy, Acting Chief Author Battlespace Surveillance Innovation Center This report has been reviewed by the ESC Public Affairs Office (PA) and is releasable to the National Technical Information Service. Qualified requestors may obtain additional copies from the Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC). All others should apply to the National Technical Information Service (NTIS). 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TASK NUMBER SB 5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER ZZ 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER Air Force Research Laboratory 29 Randolph Road AFRL-RV-HA-TR-2008-1039 Hanscom AFB, MA 01731-3010 9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 10. SPONSOR/MONITOR'S ACRONYM(S) AFRL/RVBY 11. SPONSOR/MONITOR'S REPORT NUMBER(S) 12. DISTRIBUTION/AVAILABILITY STATEMENT Approved for public release; distribution unlimite 13. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES 14. ABSTRACT A retrospective is provided on space-based astronomy missions and the prominent role the US Defense Department (DoD), particularly the Air Force, played in early days of infrared astronomy and the technology development that was transitioned to the infrared astronomical community. The geophysics programs at the Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories (AFCRL) and successor organizations (AFGL) at Hanscom Air Force Base are described in order to provide a context for the DoD infrared astronomy program. AFCRL and AFGL conducted the early mid-infrared probe-rocket based surveys as well as supporting related experiments under university contracts. The succession of subsequent orbital experiments is also described. 15. SUBJECT TERMS Infrared observations; Space-based astronomy 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 17. LIMITATION OF 18. NUMBER 19a. NAME OF RESPONSIBLE PERSON a. REPORT b. ABSTRACT c. THIS PAGE ABSTRACT OF Stephan D. Price PAGES Unclassified SAR 19b. TELEPHONE NUMBER (Include area code) 781-377-4552 Standard Form 298 (Rev. 8/98) Reset Prescribed by ANSI Std. Z39.18 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. THE LABORATORY FROM 1945 TO 2011 ........................................................................ 1 1.1. The Cambridge Research Center (1945 – 1960) ................................................................. 4 1.2. Cambridge Research Laboratories (1960 – 1975) .............................................................. 8 1.3. Geophysics Laboratory (1976 – 1990) ............................................................................. 12 1.4. Phillips Laboratory (1990 – 1997) .................................................................................... 14 1.5. Air Force Research Laboratory (1997 – 2011) ................................................................. 16 1.6. External Support – Lifeblood of the Celestial Backgrounds Program ............................. 17 1.7. Astronomers Associated with the Laboratory’s Infrared Program ................................... 21 1.8. Personal Perspective ......................................................................................................... 27 2. INFRARED ASTRONOMY: THE EARLY DAYS ............................................................... 33 2.1. Space Surveillance: Impetus to Infrared Stellar Astronomy ............................................. 39 2.2. The First Near-Infrared Sky Surveys ................................................................................ 45 2.3. The AFCRL Lunar and Planetary Research Branch ......................................................... 48 2.4. Additional References ....................................................................................................... 57 2.5. Personal Recollections ...................................................................................................... 58 3. INTO SPACE........................................................................................................................... 67 3.1. LO-STAR (Stellar Radiation Sensor - SRS) ..................................................................... 70 3.2. Hedging Bets – ARPA funded University Efforts ............................................................ 74 3.3. HI STAR ........................................................................................................................... 75 3.4. The First Satellite-Based Infrared Surveys ....................................................................... 82 3.5. HI HI STAR ...................................................................................................................... 83 3.6. HI STAR South ................................................................................................................. 85 3.7. Personal Perspective – The HI STAR Era ........................................................................ 90 4. A WEALTH OF DATA........................................................................................................... 97 4.1. Characteristics of the Data ................................................................................................ 97 4.2. AFCRL Source – What AFCRL Source? ....................................................................... 107 4.3. Good to the Last Drop – of Information ......................................................................... 111 4.4. Personal Perspective on the AFCRL/AFGL Survey ....................................................... 116 5. AIR FORCE BACKGROUND MEASUREMENT PROGRAM ......................................... 119 5.1. Super HI STAR ............................................................................................................... 119 5.2. The End of an Era – and the Beginning of Another ....................................................... 120 5.3. Earth Limb and Infrared Backgrounds Experiments ...................................................... 121 5.4. SPICE I ........................................................................................................................... 123 5.5. The BMP and MSMP Separation and Recovery Systems .............................................. 125 5.6. SPICE 2 ........................................................................................................................... 128 5.7. Far-infrared Sky Survey Experiment .............................................................................. 131 5.8. Zodiacal Infrared Project ................................................................................................ 139 5.9. Earth Limb Clutter .......................................................................................................... 146 5.10. Detector Non-Linear Responses ................................................................................... 147 5.11. Classification Issues ...................................................................................................... 151 5.12. Personal Perspective on the Background Measurements Program ............................... 153 6. FROM ROCKETS TO SATELLITES .................................................................................. 157 6.1. The Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) ................................................................... 160 6.1.1. IRAS Asteroids and Comets ...................................................................................