This paper presents an error budget for the imaging performance of the Generation X telescope. This budget is used to inform the selection of the intrinsic imaging performance of the mirror modules. This calculation is done by forming a budget of top level claims to imaging performance and calculating the intrinsic optic performance, α, needed to meet the top level goal with some margin and contingency. This intrinsic optical performance is quantified by the image half-power diameter of a point source. Different values of telescope misalignment and necessary top level imaging performance is used in a Monte Carlo calculation to determine the imaging half power and the resultant optic performance.
KEYWORDS: Telescopes, Space telescopes, Tolerancing, Mirrors, Monte Carlo methods, Point spread functions, Inspection, Optical alignment, Aerospace engineering, X-rays
This paper presents a first look at a telescope level error budget for the Generation-X telescope. This alignment budget is presented in terms of the allowable intermodule alignment as a function of the intrinsic optical performance degradation of perfectly aligned modules. This intrinsic optical performance is quantified by the image half-power diameter of a point source. Sets of misalignment parameters are used in a Monte Carlo calculation to determine the distribution of outcomes. The distribution is, then, integrated to give the cumulative probability that the defined set of tolerances will yield a certain optical performance. This cumulative probability is, then, used to generate a confidence level for achieving a specific level of telescope performance, expressed as a multiplier to the intrinsic optical performance.
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