Using ISS to develop telescope technology Alvar Saenz-Otero *a , David W. Miller a a MIT Space Systems Laboratory, Cambridge, MA 02139 ABSTRACT Future space telescope missions concepts have introduced new technologies such as precision formation flight, optical metrology, and segmented mirrors. These new technologies require demonstration and validation prior to deployment in final missions such as the James Webb Space Telescope, Terrestrial Planet Finder, and Darwin. Ground based demonstrations do not provide the precision necessary to obtain a high level of confidence in the technology; precursor free flyer space missions suffer from the same problems as the final missions. Therefore, this paper proposes the use of the International Space Station as an intermediate research environment where these technologies can be developed, demonstrated, and validated. The ISS provides special resources, such as human presence, communications, power, and a benign atmosphere which directly reduce the major challenges of space technology maturation: risk, complexity, cost, remote operations, and visibility. Successful design of experiments for use aboard the space station, by enabling iterative research and supporting multiple scientists, can further reduce the effects of these challenges of space technology maturation. This paper presents results of five previous MIT Space Systems Laboratory experiments aboard the Space Shuttle, MIR, and the ISS to illustrate successful technology maturation aboard these facilities. Keywords: ISS, dynamics, controls, technology maturation, SPHERES, MACE, MODE 1. INTRODUCTION The developmental conclusion of NASA’s “Great Observatories” program, which deployed four spacecraft (the Hubble Space Telescope, the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory, the Chandra X-ray Observatory, and the Spitzer Space Telescope) has raised the bar on the expectations of future spacecraft. The program has provided scientists with data and images of unprecedented quality. To best these, the next generation of proposed space telescopes intends to use new technologies which trade-off between the complexity of spacecraft and the science return; still, in all cases, the complexity of the spacecraft systems increases. Among the primary proposals for the next generation of telescopes are the James Web Space Telescope (JWST, previously Next General Space Telescope – NGST), the Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF), Darwin, Life Finder (LF) and Planet Imager (PI) (concepts for JWST, TPF, and Darwin are illustrated in Figure 1). Each of these missions requires the development of at least one new space technology, while ensuring that existing technologies are still applied successfully. JWST introduces the use of a segmented mirror. This technology requires not only a special deployment, but is also expected to require continuous control of each segment via embedded actuators. TPF, Darwin, LF, and PI depend on the ability to demonstrate precision optical formation flight in L2 orbit and beyond, with separations in thousands of meters. The programs require both precise pointing and precise separations, requiring closed-loop nested robust controls. The programs could use traditional monolithic mirrors, or segmented mirrors. Table 1 summarizes the use of new technologies by each proposed mission. * alvarso@mit.edu; phone 617-324-6827; fax 617-258-5940; ssl.mit.edu