Station-Keeping Requirements for Constellations of Free-Flying Collectors Used for Astronomical Imaging in Space
Ronald J. Allen

TL;DR
This paper analyzes the station-keeping accuracy needed for space-based interferometric arrays used in astrophysics, focusing on baseline and optical path difference requirements for precise astronomical imaging.
Contribution
It provides specific accuracy rules-of-thumb for station-keeping in space interferometers, linking them to imaging parameters and constellation geometry.
Findings
Baseline knowledge accuracy is about half a meter for typical stellar targets.
Optical path difference control must be within half a wavelength for narrow bands.
Broader bandwidths require optical path difference control within approximately 0.2 wavelengths.
Abstract
The accuracy requirements on station-keeping for constellations of free-flying collectors coupled as (future) imaging arrays in space for astrophysics applications are examined. The basic imaging element of these arrays is the two-element interferometer. Accurate knowledge of two quantities is required: the \textit{projected baseline length}, which is the distance between the two interferometer elements projected on the plane tranverse to the line of sight to the target; and the \textit{optical path difference}, which is the difference in the distances from that transverse plane to the beam combiner. ``Rules-of-thumb'' are determined for the typical accuracy required on these parameters. The requirement on the projected baseline length is a \textit{knowledge} requirement and depends on the angular size of the targets of interest; it is generally at a level of half a meter for typical…
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