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Physics and AstronomyAstronomy

The Fizeau Interferometer Testbed

Authors: Xiaolei Zhang; Kenneth G Carpenter; Richard G Lyon; Hubert Huet; Joe Marzouk; Gregory Solyar; NAVAL RESEARCH LAB WASHINGTON DC REMOTE SENSING DIV
Abstract:
The Fizeau Interferometer Testbed (FIT) is a collaborative effort between NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, the Naval Research Laboratory, Sigma Space Corporation, and the University of Maryland. The testbed will be used to explore the principles of and the requirements for the full, as well as the pathfinder, Stellar Imager mission concept. It has a long term goal of demonstrating closed-loop control of a sparse array of numerous articulated mirrors to keep optical beams in phase and optimize interferometric synthesis imaging. In this paper we present the optical and data acquisition system design of the testbed, and discuss the wavefront sensing and control algorithms to be used. Currently we have completed the initial design and hardware procurement for the FIT. The assembly and testing of the Testbed will be underway at Goddard's Instrument Development Lab in the coming months.

Limitations: APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
Description: Conference paper
Pages: 10
Report Date: Mar 2003
Report Number: A867625
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