The astronomical advantages of this type telescope in the optical, infrared, and submillimeter wavelengths is enormous when compared with current and planned ground and space based telescopes. In the optical wavelengths, the 65 foot diamter compares nicely with the 200 inch (about 17 feet) Hale telescope and the 400 inch (over 33 feet) proposed Texas multiple mirror reflector. In the infrared, the pure dimensions of this telescope alone have the potential to improve upon the IRAS data by several order of magnitude. The advantages gained by the use of the ET and the ET/ACC are gained by the ability to launch a few large panels for construction rather than having to connect 49 small segments to one another during a 7 - 10 day shuttle sortie. The ET also can provide a very large gravity gradient stabilized base or an anchor to which the telescope can be attached to for operation. B. High Energy Observations The ET also has potential as the base for cosmic ray, gamma ray, and x-ray observations (40, 56, 91). A tank that is outfitted with proper detectors and stabilized in a gravity gradient mode could be turned into a gamma ray telescope as pictured below. The interior of the hydrogen tank could be turned into large orbiting Ion or Cherenkov chambers for detection of cosmic and gamma rays. The cost of these would be low enough due to the use of a tank, so that there is the possibility of flying more than one high energy observatory. This leads to the possibility of long baseline detections of activity and thus better, more comprehensive data. The tank is also large enough to mount large arrays of proportional counter systems to conduct x-ray astronomy of the heavens. C. Low Energy Observations As was mentioned with the LDR, there are advantages in using the ET in observing the longer wavelengths. The ACC itself is large enough to accommodate a very large deployable antenna. The diameter of the mirror can be increased by nesting panels and attaching them together in orbit. The obsrevation of the earth and planets by Synthetic Aperature Radar involve large antennas. The ET can serve as the structural base for a large antenna used for this purpose. It even has the capability of being cut in half lengthwise and turned into a long trough antenna for these purposes. Once again, size, mass, and structural strength are all advantages.
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