Image: Nustar mast deployed
Description: Stowed Mast Essential to the NuSTAR design is a deployable mast which extends to 10 meters (30 feet) after launch. This mast will separate the NuSTAR X-ray optics from the detectors, a necessity to achieve the long focal length required by the optics design. Using a deployable structure allows NuSTAR to launch on a Pegasus XL rocket, one of the smaller launch vehicles available. Previous focusing X-ray missions such as Chandra and XMM-Newton launched fully deployed on larger rockets. This extendable mast is being built by ATK Goleta, which specialize in space-based deployable structures. They have built structures that have flown on the International Space Station, on Mars landers, and a mast similar in design albeit much larger in scale that flew on the Space Shuttle Endeavor in February 2000. The NuSTAR flight mast has been built and is currently undergoing testing at ATK Goleta. This image is from a full deployment test in August 2009.
Title: Nustar mast deployed
Credit: http://www.nustar.caltech.edu/image/nustar_instrument03
Author: NASA
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No
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