Flight System Implementation of the Spacecraft Occulter System for Theia

Details Flight System Implementation of the Spacecraft Occulter System for Theia Flight System Implementation of the Spacecraft Occulter System for Theia

Jan 2009

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009aas...21345806t&link_type=abstract

American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting #213, #458.06; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 41, p.362

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The objective of the Theia program is to characterize Earth-like planets around nearby stars. Theia utilizes two formation-flying spacecraft in an L2 orbit - an observatory and a free flying occulter. Characterization involves looking for signs of life by observing molecular signatures and the presence of water vapor. A free flying occulter spacecraft provides starlight suppression by blocking the starlight while allowing planet light to pass. A diffraction limited monolithic optical telescope is provided for observing planet light passed by the occulter spacecraft. The occulter spacecraft and observatory are flown with a separation of 38, 700 km to 72,000 km (depending on telescope aperture).
The Theia system design greatly simplifies design, manufacturing, modeling, and testing requirements compared to a stand-alone high performance internal coronagraph. Design advantages include having thermal/mechanical specifications approaching those of a conventional telescope requiring minimal actuator count. Standard materials and manufacturing approaches apply. End-to-end testing and facilities requirements are standard.
The occulter is comprised of up to 30 petals constructed of a dimensionally stable material. Each petal is structurally reinforced for ground handling and testing purposes. An electro-mechanically actuated deployment utilizes standard space qualified mechanism designs to achieve up to a 50m deployed diameter. Multiple layers ensure performance over 5 years of micro-meteroid degradation.
The occulter spacecraft is a modular design built of dimensionally stable composite material with 6 bays mounted to a propulsion sub-assembly. The occulter spacecraft uses ion thrusters to achieve its required delta-V over its lifetime and to maintain a position tolerance of 1 m with respect to the observatory. A traditional reaction wheel system is used to maintain orientation. The occulter and occulter spacecraft are compatible with the Atlas 5 launch vehicle.

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