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Design Evolution of the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope Using Astrophysics Focused Telescope Assets (WFIRST-AFTA) and Lessons LearnedThe design of the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope using Astrophysics Focused Telescope Assets (WFIRST-AFTA) continues to evolve as each design cycle is analyzed. In 2012, two Hubble sized (2.4 m diameter) telescopes were donated to NASA from elsewhere in the Federal Government. NASA began investigating potential uses for these telescopes and identified WFIRST as a mission to benefit from these assets. With an updated, deeper, and sharper field of view than previous design iterations with a smaller telescope, the optical designs of the WFIRST instruments were updated and the mechanical and thermal designs evolved around the new optical layout. Beginning with Design Cycle 3, significant analysis efforts yielded a design and model that could be evaluated for Structural-Thermal-Optical-Performance (STOP) purposes for the Wide Field Imager (WFI) and provided the basis for evaluating the high level observatory requirements. Development of the Cycle 3 thermal model provided some valuable analysis lessons learned and established best practices for future design cycles. However, the Cycle 3 design did include some major liens and evolving requirements which were addressed in the Cycle 4 Design. Some of the design changes are driven by requirements changes, while others are optimizations or solutions to liens from previous cycles. Again in Cycle 4, STOP analysis was performed and further insights into the overall design were gained leading to the Cycle 5 design effort currently underway. This paper seeks to capture the thermal design evolution, with focus on major design drivers, key decisions and their rationale, and lessons learned as the design evolved.
Document ID
20150021048
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Peabody, Hume L. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Peters, Carlton V. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Rodriguez-Ruiz, Juan E. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
McDonald, Carson S. (Edge Space Systems Glenelg, MD, United States)
Content, David A. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Jackson, Clifton E. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Date Acquired
November 10, 2015
Publication Date
July 12, 2015
Subject Category
Spacecraft Instrumentation And Astrionics
Instrumentation And Photography
Report/Patent Number
GSFC-E-DAA-TN24247
ICES-2015-265
Meeting Information
Meeting: International Conference on Environmental Systems
Location: Bellevue, WA
Country: United States
Start Date: July 12, 2015
End Date: July 16, 2015
Sponsors: Texas Technological Univ.
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNG12CR21C
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
Keywords
WFIRST
Thermal Design
AFTA

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