MIRIS, Multi-purpose Infra-Red Imaging System, is the main payload of STSAT-3 (Korea Science & Technology Satellite 3), which will be launched in the end of 2012 (the exact date to be determined) by a Russian Dnepr rocket. MIRIS consists of two camera systems, SOC (Space Observation Camera) and EOC (Earth Observation Camera). During a shock test for the flight model stability in the launching environment, some lenses of SOC EQM (Engineering Qualification Model) were broken. In order to resolve the lens failure, analyses for cause were performed with visual inspections for lenses and opto-mechanical parts. After modifications of SOC opto-mechanical parts, the shock test was performed again and passed. In this paper, we introduce the solution for lens safety and report the test results.
KASI (Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute) has developed an SLR (Satellite Laser Ranging) system since 2008. The name of the development program is ARGO (Accurate Ranging system for Geodetic Observation). ARGO has a wide range of applications in the satellite precise orbit determination and space geodesy research using SLR with mm-level accuracy. ARGO-M (Mobile, bistatic 10 cm transmitting/40 cm receiving telescopes) and ARGO-F (Fixed stationary, about 1 m transmitting/receiving integrated telescope) SLR systems development will be completed by 2014. In 2011, ARGO-M system integration was completed. At present ARGO-M is in the course of system calibration, functionality, and performance tests. It consists of six subsystems, OPS (Optics System), TMS (Tracking Mount System), OES (Opto-Electronic System), CDS (Container-Dome System), LAS (Laser System) and AOS (ARGO Operation System). In this paper, ARGO-M system structure and integration status are introduced and described.
The Ganui (簡儀, simplified armillary sphere) is a representative of astronomical instruments in Joseon Dynasty of Korea, as well as Yuan Dynasty and Ming Dynasty of China. In early 15th century, Joseon's scientists and engineers uniquely developed the Soganui (小簡儀, small simplified armillary sphere) and the Ilseongjeongsiui (日星定時儀, sun-and-star time determining instrument) from the structural characteristic of Ganui. These two astronomical instruments had a new design by the miniaturization and felt convinced a similar performance of Ganui in the harmony with Korean Astronomy and Astrology Cultures. Since mid-18th century after the enforcement of shixian-li (時憲曆), the Soganui and Ilseongjeongsiui handed over the Jeokdogyeongwiui (赤道經緯儀, equatorial armilla) by a change of the observational framework such as the time and angle measures. The Jeokdogyeongwiui made by Gwansanggam (觀象監, Bureau of Astronomy in Joseon Dynasty) adopted the new observational framework. We studied the structural characteristics and scientific values of these 3 astronomical instruments with theirs observation methods.
We have developed superconducting mixer receivers for 129 GHz VLBI observation in Korean VLBI Network (KVN). The developed mixer has a radial waveguide probe with simple transmission line L-C transformer as a tuning circuit to its 5 series-connected junctions, which can have 125 - 165 GHz as the operation radio frequency (RF). For intermediate frequency (IF) signal path a high impedance quarter-wavelength line connects the probe to one end of symmetric RF chokes. The double side band (DSB) receiver noise of the mixer was about 40 K over 4 - 6 GHz IF band, whereas we achieved the uncorrected single side band (SSB) noise temperature of about 70 K and better than 10 dB image rejection ratio in 2SB configuration with 8 - 10 GHz IF band. Insert-type receiver cartridges employing the mixers have been under commission for KVN stations.
The International Space Station (ISS) orbits the Earth within the inner radiation belt, where high-energy protons are produced by collisions of cosmic rays to the upper atmosphere. About 6 astronauts stay in the ISS for a long period, and it should be important to monitor and assess the radiation environment in the ISS. The tissue equivalent proportional counter (TEPC) is an instrument to measure the impact of radiation on the human tissue. KASI is developing a TEPC as a candidate payload of the ISS. Before the detailed design of the TEPC, we performed simulations to test whether our conceptual design of the TEPC will work propertly in the ISS and to predict its performance. The simulations estimated that the TEPC will measure the dose equivalent of about 1:1 mSv during a day in the ISS, which is consistent with previous measurements.
A low-dispersion fiber feed Littrow-mounted grating spectrometer for education was designed and fabricated. The dispersion element is a reflective type blazed grating Edmundoptics NT 46-075 (spatial frequency 600 lines/mm, dimension 30mm×30mm, blazed angle 8.6 degree). The optical fiber coupler module for optical guiding from telescope to spectrometer is composed of a multi-mode FC connector - FC connector optical fiber patch cord (core/cladding diameter 50μm/125μm) and two 1.25" throw-tube couplers. The lens for collimating and imaging is a general purpose focal length 50 mm camera lens (f/1.8). The device for optical path control is a rectangular prism (size 25mm×25mm). The imaging camera sensor is a Meade DSI Pro 2 CCD sensor (black and white, 752×582 pixels and pixel size 8.3μm×8.6μm). Softwares for data logging and analysis consist of Meade Autostar Suite, NIH imagej and Vernier Logger Pro 3. The wavelength coverage range of the spectrometer is 205 nm at central wavelength 550 nm. The wavelength resolution is 1.7 nm.
We analyzed the current status of the telescope control system (TCS2) of the 1.8 m telescope in Bohyunsan Optical Astronomy Observatory (BOAO), and suggest a new TCS (TCS3) for the long term development of BOAO. The TCS2 was constructed in 1998 to replace the TCS1 which was installed with the telescope itself at the commencement of BOAO. One of the important parts of TCS is PMAC (Programmable Multi-Axis Controller), which is a general-purpose multi-axis motion controller. PMAC provides the direct interactive communication environment permitting users to command the controller directly with simple operations. This makes the setup, debugging, and diagnostics very easy. The TCS2 was operated stable for a long time, but the hardware and TCS computers have been deteriorated and are out of date now. The new TCS3 needs to be constructed based on a modern computer system. And functions such as pre-calculations of telescope limiting position, interworking with virtual observatory tools, and using GUI, etc should be added. Construction of the TCS3 will be a step creating a better observation environment for the Korean astronomical society.