International Year of Astonomy 2009
Kayser-Threde Plays Prominent Role in Successful Astronomy ProjectsScenes of Operation:
National: Successful Maiden Flight of the largest balloon-born Solar Observatory (SUNRISE)
International: Cryogenic Opto-electronical Instrument (PACS) on the ESA Herschel Satellite creates Images of Outstanding Quality
Transatlantic: Successful Test Flight of the Airborne Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA)
Bavaria: New 2 metre Frauenhofer Telescope (LMU Observatory, Munich) for Munich’s “local Mountain†Wendelstein and : Happy Birthday: X-Ray Telescope XMM-Newton 10 Years in Space
1.) Keeping an Eye on the Sun: SUNRISE
Kayser-Threde, the optical systems and instruments specialist was responsible for the development and construction of the solar observatory telescope. Kayser-Threde was awarded the contract by the Max-Planck Institute for Solar System Research (MPS). The project was funded by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi) through the German Aerospace Center, DLR. The Mission. The light-weight instrument SUNRISE enables spectro-polarimetric high-resolution observation of the sun in the ultra-violet range up to the spectral range which is visible to the human eye (UV-VIS). The telescope flight at an altitude of 37 km (outside the troposphere) enables observation in a wavelength starting from 200 nm. The scientific goal of the maiden flight in June 2009 was the examination of magnetic structures in the solar atmosphere and their interaction with the convective solar plasma. Sharpest View. With a resolution of structures on the solar surface in the area of 35 km SUNRISE enables the sharpest view ever of the sun.
Dr. Peter Barthol, the SUNRISE Project Manager at MPS confirms: “The quality of the images delivered by the SUNRISE Telescope was excellent.†This is mainly due to the optimum design of the 1m primary mirror which was manufactured from the glass ceramic Zerodur and is unique in being the lightest mirror of its type today. Flight. In flight the helium-filled balloon reaches a diameter of 130 metres and carries the scientific instrument which, with balloon, parachute and auxiliary equipment weighs approximately 6 tons altogether. From the rocket and balloon launch site ESRANGE in Lapland (ideally located for 24-hour solar observation) the solar observatory was carried by the wind systems of the stratosphere to northern Canada within 137 hours. During the flight 1.5 TBytes of scientific material were collected and stored. During landing the telescope structure was expectedly destroyed upon impact, whereas, in accordance with specified requirements, the mirrors themselves remained intact and are awaiting their next assignment.
2.) Cold Eye - PACS (Photometer Array Camera and Spectrometer)
The “world-best†cryogenic opto-electrical spectrometer in space, PACS, on ESA’s Herschel satellite enables unique insights into the very beginnings of the universe. Kayser-Threde was awarded the contract for design and construction of this spectrometer from the Max-Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE). The instrument was financed by the German Aerospace Center, DLR, with funds from BMWi. Small, Light, Complex. The optics specialists at Kayser-Threde managed to integrate 1,400 opto-mechanical and structural components into the tiny space within the extremely light-weight structure (only 2% of a 1800 kg block remained) of the cryogen instrument, PACS. Due to a housing wall thickness of a minimal 1 mm the structure facilitates the placement of 52 mirrors and 2 calibration sources on 2 levels. Long Journey. After travelling into space on an Ariane 5 launcher, PACS had to cover another approximately 1.5 million kilometres to the designated Lagrange Point L2 with its gravitational equilibrium. The mission which began in June 2009 is planned to continue until 2012. The actual mission end depends, however, on the overall coolant consumption. More than 2000 litres of super-fluid helium cool the instrument to almost absolute zero. This is necessary since the observed objects themselves have a thermal radiation of only very low Kelvin temperatures.
3.) SOFIA: Infrared Astronomy at 12 km Altitude (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) The 17 ton telescope was developed and built by a German consortium of the companies Kayser-Threde and MAN Technologie (now MT Aerospace) under DLR contract (German Aerospace Center). This is a joint German-American project. With 40% of the contract volume Kayser-Threde was responsible for the optical systems of the telescope (primary mirror, secondary mirror, tertiary mirror and optical cameras) as well as a substantial part of the electronics and parts of the structural components. Kayser-Threde is still actively involved in the project today (e.g. with on-the-spot support, conception or manufacture of a sun-shield for the sensitive telescope for daytime test flights). The telescope with a primary mirror with a diameter of 2.7 metres and all the necessary auxiliary systems for operation of the observatory were installed on board a modified Boeing 747 SP. From an altitude of 12 km SOFIA shall give astronomers from all over the world the opportunity to take a view into the depths of outer space, which, even with the most powerful telescopes, would not have been possible from the surface of the Earth. This way, important astronomical processes can be observed in the for the human eye invisible infrared spectrum which may help to shed light on explanations for the beginning of the universe. Test flights in December were successful. The international “research operations†are scheduled for 2010.
4.) Fully Automatic High-Technology Telescope for the Astronomical Observatory on the Wendelstein mountain With Kayser-Threde as prime contracted by the Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich and the State Building Authorities, Munich (Staatliches Bauamt) with funds from the Bavarian State Government the technically sophisticated 2m Frauenhofer Telescope for the Wendelstein Observatory is under construction. The new telescope shall have a so-called wide-angle camera for a view of at least 0.5 ° of the firmament (full-moon diameter) and a multi-channel camera (optical and near infrared) and spectographs for medium to high resolution, so as to support upcoming scientific projects of the University observatory. Construction Work. Under the auspices of the State Building Authorities a new telescope platform was erected in summer 2009 on the summit of Mount Wendelstein. The accompanying dome is scheduled for installation 2010. At Kayser-Threde the development and design work were finished in parallel to each other which meant that an important milestone was reached in regard to the placement of the order with the manufacturer for the three mirrors. Manufacture and polishing of the mirror shall be finished in the spring of 2011. The telescope structure and controls will be set up within this period. A special challenge awaits Kayser-Threde during installation of the approx. 25 ton telescope on the mountain summit: Single components with of up to 5 tons must be flown up with freight copters and mounted in the dome with the aid of a building crane to be transported there for this purpose. The official handover of the telescope is scheduled for 2011.
5.) 10. “Service Anniversary†for ESA X-Ray Telescope XXM-Newton (X-Ray Multi Mirror), up to now the largest (11 m long; focal length: 7.5 m) high-precision X-ray telescope (with a resolution of 11-15 arc seconds; which corresponds to the height of the summit cross of the Zugspitze as seen from the city of Munich) travelled on board an Ariane 5 spacecraft and was brought into a highly eccentric orbit. Kayser-Threde, together with their then subsidiary Media Lario, under direct contract from ESA developed, manufactured, verified and integrated, among other things, the most important components of the telescope, namely the three telescope mirror modules. A technological masterpiece was delivered by Kayser-Threde with each of the altogether five mirror modules manufactured: 58 concentric mirror shells with a length of 60 cm were assembled to form a module with one focal point focusing the X-Rays in a highly precise way. Experts’ expectations were by far surpassed due to the large collector surface and the enormous performance characteristics of the mirror modules. XXM Newton was a breakthrough in the X-Ray astronomy.
The high-technology company Kayser-Threde demonstrates its outstanding competence in the field of optics in all optical wavelengths with the above mentioned project examples. This will apply, in future, also to the satellite-supported earth observation sector. In relation to this, the company is presently working under DLR contract on the realisation of the next national optical earth observation satellite EnMAP (Environmental Mapping and Analysis Programme) which is scheduled to start in 2013. Kayser-Threde is looking forward to the forthcoming challenges and the opportunity to expand mankind’s knowledge of our planet with the aid of innovative global environmental sounding instruments.
Pictures upon request.
About Kayser-Threde. Founded in 1967, Kayser-Threde is a leading systems house providing high-technology solutions for the industrial, aerospace and scientific sectors. These include applications and solutions in manned and unmanned space missions, optics, and process control. Kayser-Threde is well respected for working closely together with its customers from a project`s start through to completion, including all aspects from studies, analyses, systems design, special developments, production, testing, implementation, operation and support. Born out of the rigorous requirements demanded in the aerospace business, Kayser-Threde has developed outstanding quality standards reflected in the reliability of its systems, solutions and processes. Kayer-Threde is part of the OHB Technology Group.
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