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Spuce Flight Centtr, Hzmtsuille, Ahburnu /' NASA TECHNICAL NASA TM X-53496 MEMORANDUM August 5, 1966 . 8 OPT ICAL ASTRONOMY PACKAGE FEAS IB ILlTY STUDY FOR APOLLO APPLICATIONS PROGRAM EXECUTIVE SUMMARY REPORT By E. H. Wells GPO PRICE $ CFSTI PRICE(S) $ Hard copy (HC) LH Microfiche (MF) 125-25) NASA (I 063 JuW 06 \ George C. Murshull I. Spuce Flight Centtr, Hzmtsuille, Ahburnu c TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM X-53496 OPTICAL ASTRONOMY PACKAGE FEAS I BlLlTY STUDY FOR APOLLO APPLICATIONS PROGRAM EXECUTIVE SUMMARY REPORT E. H. Wells George C. Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville Alabama ABSTRACT L/ The feasibility and merit of adapting the Goddard Experiment Package ( GEP) developed for the Orbiting Astronomical Observatory ( OAO) , to Apollo Application Program (AAP) missions on the Lunar Surface are investigated in this study. Full consideration was given to an entire mission utilizing typical astronomical experiments. Data is provided to assist NASA in program planning of lunar surface optical astronomy missions and equipment. Evolutionary growth potentials were considered and all indications were that a 5- to 6-year period is realistic for the time required from initiation of the project to flight. NASA-GEORGE C. MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER NASA-GEORGE C. MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM X- 53496 OPTICAL ASTRONOMY PACKAGE FEAS I BlLlTY STUDY FOR APOLLO APPLICATIONS PROGRAM EXECUT IVE SUMMARY REP0RT BY E. H. Wells RESEARCH PROJECTS LABORATORY AND ADVANCED SYSTEMS OFFICE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OPERATIONS TABLE OF CONTENTS Page SUMMARY ........................................... 1 SEC.IION I . INTRODUCTION ............................. 1 SECTION II . OEkJECTIVES AND SCOPE ...................... 2 A . Objectives .............................. 2 B . Scope ................................. 2 SECTION III . STUDY GUIDELINES.......................... 3 A . General ................................ 3 B . OAPConfiguration ........................ 3 C . Typical Experiment Profile for Manned Phase ...... 4 D . Typical Experiment Profile for Unmanned Phase .... 5 E . Mission Characteristics ..................... 5 F . Operational Processes ...................... 5 G . Operational Data Handling ................... 6 H . Supporting Substudies ...................... 7 SECTION IV . BASIC DATA GENERATED AND CONCLUSIONS ....... 8 A . Basic Data Generated ...................... 8 B . Conclusions ............................. 13 SECTION V . FUTURE ACTIVITIES ......................... 14 iii TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM x-53496 OPTICAL ASTRONOMY PACKAGE FEAS I BlLlTY STUDY FOR APOLLO APPLICATIONS PROGRAM EXECUTIVE SUMMARY REPORT SUMMARY The feasibility and merit of adapting the Goddard Experiment Package ( GEP) , developed for the Orbiting Astronomical Observatory ( OAO) , to Apollo Application Program (AAP) missions on the Lunar Surface are investigated in this study. Full consideration was given to an entire mission utilizing typical astronomical experiments. Data is provided to assist NASA in program planning of lunar surface optical astronomy missions and equipment. Evolutionary growth potentials were considered and all indications were that a 5- to 6-year period is realistic for the time required from initiation of the project to flight. SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION The exploitation of space astronomy has exceptional advantages when conducted as a lunar surface operation. On Earth the best photographs of astronomical objects are usually limited in resolution to one-third of an arc second. This limitation is due to the atmosphere which distorts and diminishes delicate images. The vacuum of space removes the limitation and in so doing will make available the entire electromagnetic spectrum. It is expected that the only limitation to the results of a lunar surface astronomy mission will be the size and quality of the telescope itself. In June 1965 a study contract (NAS 8-20132) was awarded by MSFC to Kollsman Instrument Corporation for the investigation summarized in this report. The study was conducted to provide NASA management with creditable data to be used in planning Apollo Applications Program (AAP)lunar surface astronomy missions. The period of performance of the contract, including extensions, was from June 1965 through April 1966. The value of the contract was $144,000. Details of the study are documented in the following final report: 'Optical Astronomy Package Feasibility Study for Apollo Application Program (U), " Volumes I and II, Kollsman Instrument Corporation, Contract NAS8-20132, March 1966. SECTION II, OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE A. Objectives The objectives of the Optical Astronomy Package (OAP) study were to: I. Examine in detail the technical , operational, and programmatic feasibility of adapting the Goddard Experiment Package (GEP) to AAP and lunar surface missions. 2. Perform analyses related to the probable range of astronomical investigation possible with GEP instruments used with AAP. 3. Provide an initial assessment of desirable post-AAP optical astronomical equipment for lunar surface missions. B. Scope The scope of the program involves analyses of potential lunar surface astronomical invsstigations with the potential capabilities of the OAP system. Equipment and instrumentation requirements associated with the OAP and its support subsystems are identified. Various operational concepts are considered. The results of this program are intended to provide NASA management with creditable data to assist in the program planning of AAP lunar surface optical astronomy missions and equipment. To enable proper overall system design, it was necessary to consider a range of potential lunar surface astronomy experiments. Typical scientific investigations to which the basic GEP could be adapted when used with AAP include : 2 i. Investigation of distribution patterns and densities of interstellar gas through emission line spectrometry and investigation of galactic periods of near-by stars. 2. Survey by photoelelectric methods of selected stars in sky fields to test the brightne ss-color-distance relationships leading to further classification. The study defined in detail the necessary support systems and opera- tional requirements outlined above within the constraints of the LEM Shelter configuration. The feasibility of mounting telescopes separately from the LEM was considered, as well as capabilities of the integrally mounted systems. SECTION I 11. STUDY GU IDELINES A. General For the study, a basic GEP is assumed with a .97-meter diameter and a 4.8-meter focal length. Modifications to this GEP will be kept to a minimum and will be considered only when such modification is required for compatible operation of the OAP, LEM/Shelter, and human operators. The OAP will utilize the Apollo Excursion LEM/Shelter as its vehicle to the lunar surface, will be able to perform the same functions as the basic GEP, and will be modified to provide twelve additional functions. A typical experiment profile was used in order to obtain realistic oper- ational and engineering analyses. It is in no way final nor does it restrict other experimental approaches within the OAP capabilities. It is realized that the ex- periments described cannot all be completed within the manned experiment time limitation. Experiments may be selected according to the desires of the scientific community. 6. OAP Configuration The basic differences in the telescopes of the GEP and the OAP are defined by the OAP study as follows: i. The incorporation of additional thermal shielding on the OAP 2. The focusing mechanism for varying the prime focus position 3 3. The incorporation of a 45-degree mirror for reflecting the prime focus into a starfield photographic system 4. The incorporation of a relay lens system for an Optical/TV View- finder system 5. The addition of a second spectrometer mirror and a 45-degree flat strip mirror for reflecting the spectral image into a photograph system 6. The construction of the photon counter and grating mountings to permit 'bn site" experiment change. C. Typical Experiment Profile for Manned Phase I. Acquire in any order and track typical stars such as: Capella, Gamma Velorum, Zeta Puppis, Antares, Aldebaran, Beta Centauri, Spica, Achemar, Rigel, Sirius, Deneb, Canopus, Procyon, and Arcturus. Perform the following experiments on each of the stars: a. UV photon counting (fine, medium, and coarse modes) b. UV spectral photography c. Visual spectral photography e. Image photography on starfield camera or electron camera. 2. Acquire and, by using the time program track mode, track the planets: Mars, Venus, Earth, Mercury, Saturn, and Jupiter. Perform the following experiments: a. Wide-band image photography using starfield camera b. Narrow-band (100 A) image photography (4 filters) using starfield camera c. Total field image magnitude using photometric adjunct to the starfield camera d. Polarimetry using previously calibrated optics and birefringent filters. 4 D. Typical Experiment Profile for Unmanned Phase 1. Acquire in any order and track typical star (constant or variable) of magnitude of 10 or brighter. UV photon counting can then be performed (fine, medium, and/or coarse modes). Tracking may be via fine guidance system or programmed track mode. 2. UV photon counting on the solar corona may be performed at different solar radii just prior to lunar sunrise using the program track mode. 3. The Magellanic clouds may be extensively investigated during the lunar day to limit the OAP thermal problems and eliminate sunshade require- ments. E. Mission Characteristics I. Stobed Phase. The
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