The Pointing History Engine (PHE) is a computer program that provides mathematical transformations needed to reconstruct, from downlinked telemetry data, the attitude of the Spitzer Space Telescope (formerly known as the Space Infrared Telescope Facility) as a function of time. The PHE also serves as an example for development of similar pointing reconstruction software for future space telescopes. The transformations implemented in the PHE take account of the unique geometry of the Spitzer telescope-pointing chain, including all data on relative alignments of components, and all information available from attitude-determination instruments. The PHE makes it possible to coordinate attitude data with observational data acquired at the same time, so that any observed astronomical object can be located for future reference and re-observation. The PHE is implemented as a subroutine used in conjunction with telemetry-formatting services of the Mission Image Processing Laboratory of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory to generate the Boresight Pointing History File (BPHF). The BPHF is an archival database designed to serve as Spitzer's primary astronomical reference documenting where the telescope was pointed at any time during its mission.
This program was written by David Bayard, Asif Ahmed, and Paul Brugarolas of Caltech for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. For more information, download the Technical Support Package (free white paper) at www.techbriefs.com/tsp under the Software category.
This software is available for commercial licensing. Please contact Karina Edmonds of the California Institute of Technology at (626) 395-2322. Refer to NPO-43374.
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
Pointing History Engine for the Spitzer Space Telescope
(reference NPO-43374) is currently available for download from the TSP library.
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Overview
The document is a Technical Support Package for the Pointing History Engine (PHE) developed for the Spitzer Space Telescope, referenced as NPO-43374 in NASA Tech Briefs. It outlines the development and functionality of the PHE, which serves as a primary transformation engine to support the science pipeline of the Spitzer Space Telescope.
Initially, the PHE was conceived within a mathematical framework, emphasizing its theoretical underpinnings. Following this, the transformations were implemented in software, prototyped, and subjected to unit testing in a Matlab environment. This rigorous testing phase ensured the reliability and accuracy of the transformations before the routines were ultimately converted to C language for deployment in a MIPL-defined environment. This transition to C language was crucial for optimizing performance and integration within the telescope's operational framework.
The PHE is specifically designed to facilitate attitude reconstruction, which is essential for accurately determining the orientation of the Spitzer Space Telescope during its observations. This capability is vital for ensuring that the telescope can effectively capture and analyze astronomical data, contributing to various scientific discoveries.
The document also emphasizes the broader implications of the PHE's development, highlighting its potential applications beyond the Spitzer Space Telescope. It is part of NASA's Commercial Technology Program, which aims to disseminate aerospace-related developments that may have wider technological, scientific, or commercial applications. This initiative underscores NASA's commitment to innovation and collaboration, encouraging the sharing of knowledge and technology with the broader community.
For further inquiries or assistance regarding the PHE or related technologies, the document provides contact information for the Innovative Technology Assets Management at JPL, including a mailing address, telephone number, and email.
Overall, the Technical Support Package serves as a comprehensive overview of the PHE's development, functionality, and significance within the context of NASA's mission to advance space exploration and scientific research. It reflects the meticulous engineering and innovative spirit that characterize NASA's projects, showcasing the intersection of mathematics, software development, and aerospace technology.
