Abstract Details

Name: Shanti Prabha
Affiliation: Indian institute of astrophysics
Conference ID: ASI2020_362
Title : Design of precision pointing system for high altitude balloon payloads
Authors and Co-Authors : Shanti Prabha B.G. Nair Bharat P Prof. Jayant Murthy
Abstract Type : Poster
Abstract Category : Instrumentation and Techniques
Abstract : High altitude balloon program at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics is dedicated for exploring UV astronomical events. The scientific aim is to conduct NUV spectrographic study of transient events in UV, UV emissions from diffuse objects, etc. We employ a telescope with a parabolic primary, at the focus of the primary, we mount an optical fiber which is fed to a medium resolution NUV spectrograph (MAYA). The telescope is being mounted on a steerable platform which is attached to the payload box of the balloon. The NUV spectrograph will be placed inside the payload box. The telescope mounted on the platform should be able to point towards a specific target on the sky. To conduct such observations the stability of the platform is crucial, even though the turbulence at 35 km altitude (maximum achievable altitude with our balloon)is very less the platform will be still under the influence of retained forces from the flight path during the ascend. Therefore in order to stabilize the platform, there is a need to develop a sophisticated gimbal system. The gimbal system should also be capable of pointing towards the target with an accuracy of 30 arc seconds. The gimbal system along with the stabilization platform is being designed for accomplishing the scientific goal. In this work, I will be presenting the mechanical design and FEA analysis and implementation scheme of the gimbal system for high altitude balloons.