On Making Dual-Function Telescope Pairs: An Application of Computer-Directed Polishing (Without the Computer)

Abstract

Two sets of identical Cassegrainian telescope pairs have been manufactured for a space navigation device. A simplified wear program was utilized to grind and polish the primary mirrors which proved to be beneficial. For final aspherizing, however, the calculation process for residual errors proved to be too time consuming and could not handle asymmetric errors. New tooling techniques were tried and found to be advantageous. The master opticians and engineers gained new insight into the computer directed polishing process. The optical system configuration and design requirements are described.