benschuetz
Aerospace
- Sep 21, 2018
- 1
I have been working on optical SETI projects for about 10 years. Of particular interest is the rate at which a satellite laser system might target star systems. It is anticipated that a satellite based laser may be required to periodically target hundreds to perhaps a thousand star systems within a reasonable time period, e.g., not exceeding about 1000 seconds. Note, that targeting can be limited to about 200,000 stars within 400 ly, thus requiring significant angular offsets for each target. This might be done with a continuously rotating laser/telescope system, requiring only one dimensional slewing or some other means of high rate, high accuracy slewing. Because of potential for laser induced damage it is unlikely that minor optical element positioning can suffice, i.e, it is more likely that the whole
(large)structure must be reoriented for each target.
The Hubble Space Telescope maximum slewing rate is ~0.1 deg sec-1. That does not consider ramp up/dwn or settling time. In two axis, that rate would be too slow, but may be satisfactory for a rotating satellite. Dunno.
Understanding a reasonable targeting rate can be helpful toward the development of a more efficient search strategy. I'll be glad to go into detail if someone is willing humor me on this. My recent paper touches on the requirement and may be seen at:
Best from Ben
(large)structure must be reoriented for each target.
The Hubble Space Telescope maximum slewing rate is ~0.1 deg sec-1. That does not consider ramp up/dwn or settling time. In two axis, that rate would be too slow, but may be satisfactory for a rotating satellite. Dunno.
Understanding a reasonable targeting rate can be helpful toward the development of a more efficient search strategy. I'll be glad to go into detail if someone is willing humor me on this. My recent paper touches on the requirement and may be seen at:
Best from Ben