Integration and testing of a cryogenic receiver for the Exoplanet Climate Infrared Telescope (EXCITE)
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Author/Creator ORCID
Date
2024-07-18
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Citation of Original Publication
Kleyheeg, Annalies, Lee Bernard, Andrea Bocchieri, Nat Butler, Quentin Changeat, Azzurra D’Alessandro, Billy Edwards, et al. “Integration and Testing of a Cryogenic Receiver for the Exoplanet Climate Infrared Telescope (EXCITE).” In Ground-Based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy X, 13096:1378–87. SPIE, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3020522.
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This work was written as part of one of the author's official duties as an Employee of the United States Government and is therefore a work of the United States Government. In accordance with 17 U.S.C. 105, no copyright protection is available for such works under U.S. Law.
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Public Domain
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Abstract
The EXoplanet Climate Infrared TElescope (EXCITE) is an instrument designed to measure spectroscopic phase curves of extrasolar hot Jupiters from a long duration balloon platform. EXCITE will fly a moderate resolution spectrometer housed inside of a cryogenic receiver actively cooled by two linear pulse tube cryocoolers. Here we provide the current status of the design and performance of the cryogenic receiver, its heat rejection mechanism, and associated control electronics. A recirculating methanol fluid loop rejects heat from the cryocoolers and transports it to sky-facing radiator panels mounted to the gondola. The cryocoolers are controlled by drive electronics with active vibration reduction functionality to minimize the impact of vibrations on pointing stability. We discuss the thermal and vibrational performance of the cryogenic receiver during ground-based pointing tests in its 2023 field campaign in Ft. Sumner, NM and present its current status as EXCITE prepares for its 2024 test flight campaign.