The balloon system with stabilized platform and oriented submillimeter telescope: Design

Lapshin, V.; Leonov, V.; Levshuk, B.; Shekshnya, V.

Advances in Space Research, vol. 14, no. 2, p. (2)119-(2)120

Lebedev Physical Institute of the Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
Publication Date: 02/1994 Abstract
A large number of scientific ballooning programs in the interests both of fundamental sciences (astrophysics, solar physics, etc.) and applied research require fine spatial orientation in inertial space of scientific instruments installed on balloons. Among these, some of the actual programs are the investigations of astophysical objects in gamma- and X-ray, far-infrared/submillimeter regions, as are also high precision magnetometric measurements, the research of the Earth's atmosphere and related ecological problems. As an applied problem, the development of modern balloon-based communication systems is pointed out. A rather large amount of different balloon platforms is developed and used in modern practice of ballooning. The Academy of Sciences of Russia (ASR) provides the design of the balloon-borne oriented and stabilized platform from 1991 (Lebedev Physical Institute, ASR). We have designed and built the balloon platform, that is considered a universal device for future balloon research, where spatial orientation is required. At the first stage of this project, the design of the far-infared version of this platform was performed. The platform is equipped with an 1-meter Cassegrain type telescope (on scheme Nesmith). The primary mirror of spherical form (f/0.5) is made from special aluminum alloy: the construction of telescope is lightweight.