Climate Absolute Radiance and Refractivity Observatory (Clarreo) Infrared (IR) Instrument Optical Mount Design, and Vibration and Shock Testing

Prospective flight-like optical mounts for the Climate Absolute Radiance and Refractivity Observatory (CLARREO) Infrared (IR) instrument were designed, fabricated, and vibration and shock tested as part of a larger instrument design activity. Optic mount assemblies were designed to remove the need for alignment adjustments, and instead rely on fabrication tolerances to achieve alignment on some, but not all, of the optical elements in the system. This work sought to assess the ability of the optic mount assemblies to meet as designed specifications, with regard to fabrication tolerances and tolerance stack up during assembly, and assess the ability of the optic mount assemblies to retain position when introduced to vibration and shock environments for the prospective launch vehicle, a Pegasus XL. Two variations of optical mount design were compared and tested concurrently at Langley Research Center (LaRC). The results will be utilized in future instrument system design.