Paper 13099-39
Paper 13099-39
Optical modeling activities for NASA’s Roman Space Telescope: II. Integrated modeling updates, correlations, and predictions
18 June 2024 • 14:20 - 14:40 Japan Standard Time | Room G213, North - 2F
Abstract
The Nancy Grace Roman Telescope (RST) is a NASA observatory designed to unravel the secrets of dark energy and dark matter, search for and image exoplanets, and explore many topics in infrared optics. Scheduled to launch in no earlier than October 2026, this 2.4 meter aperture telescope has a field of view 100 times greater than the Hubble Space Telescope. The mission is currently in its construction phase, where integrated modeling between thermal, structural, and optical models of the observatory is necessary to demonstrate science quality images over the range of operational parameters. This presentation discusses the most recent integrated modeling analysis cycle for Roman, including model correlation with our instrument level testing. We include a discussion on improved processes of the handling of the various flows of data between the modeling disciplines and discipline specific monte-carlo analysis predictions. We will finish with the predicted uncertainties and expected performance for our upcoming observatory alignment verification test using machine learning algorithms.
Presenter
NASA Goddard Space Flight Ctr. (United States)
Joseph M. Howard serves as an optical designer for NASA, working on projects including the James Webb Space Telescope, the Roman Space Telescope, LISA, and the other future space missions. He received his BS in physics from the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and his Ph.D. in Optical Design from The Institute of Optics, University of Rochester, in Rochester, New York. Joe lives with his wife, two children, and dog and cat in Washington DC.