EXES
|
|
Selected Figures and Images
1998
From time to time, we get figures and images from the SOFIA project reflecting current designs. We're going to try and
keep this index current so that you can see the design mature. Note that EXES hasn't generated many solid model images,
but we hope to eventually.
Click for larger picture in new window
|
LOPA: The LOPA is the Layout of Personnel Accomodations. This image is
a solid model of the interior layout of SOFIA (5 Nov 1998). The row of seats nearest the telescope are for the telescope operator
and the investigator team. The open racks are for the science instrument. There is a safety railing between the telescope/instrument
area and the rest of the plane. The figure has a maximum size instrument on the flange. There is an EPO console aft of the stairs.
The passenger seats are far forward, but are hidden in this view by some electronics racks.
|
LOPA: A view of the LOPA from the other side of the
plane. (5 Nov 1998)
|
Cable Drape: A solid model of the telescope flange and the cable
drape patch panel. All the cables between the airplane and the telescope/science instrument have to go through a patch panel. The
patch panel is the set of plugs in the middle of the flange. At the top of the telescope flange is space for an instrument electronics rack.
EXES may use the instrument rack. We haven't decided yet. As a side note, I believe this design is out of date. The figure dates from
about September.
|
Counterweight Rack: A solid model view of the proposed instrument
rack. This sits on the top of the telescope counterweight plate (see figures below). Dimensions are probably in mm. This design is from the
same time as the figure above. (Sep 98)
|
Counterweight Rack: Another solid model view of the proposed
instrument rack. (Sep 98)
|
Telescope Assembly: Here is a complex view of the telescope
assembly removed from the airplane. It is seen from a viewpoint that is forward of the telescope and a little above and outside of the plane
(if the plane were included). The counterweight rack (see above) is the grey box in the top middle part of the picture. The instrument flange
is the purple circular piece in the center of the figure. For scale, the instrument flange is about 1 m in diameter. A bit of the telescope
support frame is seen in red in the upper right of the figure. (Sep 98)
|
Telescope Assembly: Another view of the telescope assembly
showing the instrument flange, the counterweight rack, and much of the telescope bearing. (Sep 98)
|
EXES on the telescope: We've had some trouble getting a design for
EXES that will fit in the allowed envelope. We originally wanted to have the electronics box below the dewar, but it ran into the floor. This
view has the dewar (blue cylinder) side-by-side with the electronics box (blue box). The allowed envelope is shown in purple/grey.
Blue showing without purple/grey spots on top means EXES is outside the envelope. (October 1998)
|
EXES on the telescope: This is as above except the telescope is at one
extreme of its eleveation range. The range of allowable elevation travel on the telescope is from 20 to 70 degrees. (October 1998)
|
EXES on the telescope: This was our previous concept for mounting
EXES on the telescope. Note that we are even further out of the allowed envelope. In this configuration, we would have hit the floor.
(September 1998)
|
EXES on the telescope: Again the early concept, but with the
telescope rotated. (September 1998)
|
EXES on the telescope: Another view of the early concept, but with the telescope rotated to the other
end of its travel. (September 1998)
|
Man with match in IR
|
Telescope Cavity and Environmental Control System: From a SOFIA presentation given last June. The telescope
cavity is actively cooled with gas from LN stored in the rear of the plane. The cooling brings the telescope cavity to the temperature of
the atmosphere at 41,000 feet.
|
Cavity Door: A model of the partially recessed cavity door
|
Block Diagram of MCCS: MCCS is the Mission Control and Communications
System. The MCCS is the conduit for almost all communications on SOFIA
|
Block Diagram of MCS Physical Architecture: MCS is the
Mission Control System. It is a subset of the MCCS
|
|
|
|
