Design of a basic angle monitoring system in silicon carbide

Due to the 10 microarcsecond accuracy, with which Gaia will measure the positions of stars using 2 astrometric telescopes, stability requirements on the payload module are extremely stringent. In order to achieve the required 10 microarcsecond accuracy, a metrology system could be installed on the satellite to monitor variations on the basic...

Absolute distance metrology for space interferometers

Future space missions, among which the Darwin Space Interferometer, will consist of several free flying satellites. A complex metrology system is required to have all the components fly accurately in formation and have it operate as a single instrument. Our work focuses on a possible implementation of the sub-system that measures the absolute...

Experimental set-up for testing alignment and measurement stability of a metrology system in Silicon Carbide for GAIA

The GAI A satellite will make a 3-D map of our Galaxy with measurement accuracy of 10 microarcseconds using two astrometric telescopes. The angle between the lines-of-sight of the two telescopes will be monitored using the Basic Angle Monitoring system with 1 microarcsecond accuracy. This system will be an interferometer consisting of a number...

Experimental evaluation of the stability and mechanical behavior of contacts in silicon carbide for the design of the basic angle monitoring system of GAIA

The satellite GAIA will be launched in ca. 2010 to make a 3-D map of our Galaxy. The payload module of the satellite will carry two astrometric telescopes amongst other instrumentation. The optical bench and astrometric telescopes will be constructed for a large part in Silicon Carbide (SiC). A truss structure concept design was developed, which...

Absolute distance metrology for space interferometers

Space interferometers consisting of several free flying telescopes, such as the planned Darwin mission, require a complex metrology system to make all the components operate as a single instrument. This metrology system consists of various sub-systems to monitor distances, angles and speeds. Our research focuses on one of these sub-systems that...

Metrology concept design of the GAIA basic angle monitoring system

The GAIA satellite, scheduled for launch in 2010, will make a highly accurate map of our Galaxy. It will measure the position of stars with an accuracy of 50 prad using two telescopes, which are positioned under a 'basic' angle between the the lines-of-sight of the telescopes of 106°. With a Basic Angle Monitoring system, variations of this...