Infrared telescope to orbit in '80's

Abstract

Infrared (IR) detectors flown in earth‐orbiting spacecraft are mostly aimed at the earth for the evaluation of agriculture, resource, military, and numerous other worldwide surveys. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) also has a major program in IR astronomy to examine the thermal emission of celestial and planetary objects. For the IR astronomy studies it is necessary to locate sensors beyond the influences of the atmosphere, and thus, according to a recent report (Indust. R&D, Sept. 1982), NASA plans to build a highly sophisticated IR telescope that could become operational in the next few years. With cryogenically cooled apparatus, it should be possible to obtain IR data on many more IR sources in space than are known now. The infrared spectra will be free of the water absorption bands characteristic of the earth's atmosphere. The proposed IR telescope will be named the Shuttle Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) and is planned to follow the NASA Space Shuttle Optical Space Telescope, which is to be placed into earth orbit in the mid‐1980's.