The Space Infrared (SIRE) sensor is being developed by the U.S. Air Force to obtain a comprehensive data base of long-wave infrared space target and background measurements. As originally designed by Hughes Aircraft Company, SIRE was to be placed in orbit aboard a modified Agena free-flying space vehicle (USAF P80-2). In 1979, the feasibility of flying the SIRE sensor as an attached (sortie) payload on the space shuttle was studied and the Air Force decided to implement this approach. This paper focuses on the interface requirements imposed by the shuttle, and the design efforts necessary to ensure successful integration of the SIRE payload with the necessary flight support equipment, the shuttle orbiter, and other elements of the Space Transportation System. Shuttle flight operations are constrained by contamination effects, data collection needs, and the comparatively high power and thermal dissipation requirements imposed by the SIRE cryogenic refrigerator. Modifications to the SIRE sensor as designed for the P80-2 space vehicle were necessitated by the new mission pro-file and by shuttle-imposed constraints.


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    Title :

    SIRE--Transition From Free-Flyer To Shuttle Sortie


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    Infrared Astronomy: Scientific/Military Thrusts and Instrumentation ; 1981 ; Washington,D.C.,United States


    Published in:

    Proc. SPIE ; 0280 ; 157


    Publication date :

    1981-07-27





    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English