Direct Drive Precision Linear Actuator for Space Interferometry Mission (SIM) Siderostat Pointing

"SIM PlanetQuest will exploit the classical measuring tool of astrometry (interferometry) with unprecedented precision to make dramatic advances in many areas of astronomy and astrophysics." (1) In order to achieve the required pointing precision of SIM, a gimbaled Siderostat (SID) pointing mechanism with coarse and fine stage actuators is being employed. In order to better understand the coarse pointing accuracy, a team of engineers set out to design, build, and test a linear ballscrew actuator that can perform submicron incremental steps for 10 years of continuous operation. Point tracking and low disturbance requirements lead the team to implement a ballscrew actuator with a direct drive DC motor and a piezo brake. By using an off the shelf motor, Hall effect sensor, ballscrew, and glass scale encoder, repeatable 20 nm incremental steps (actuator resolution) over a 120 mm range was achieved. The results exceed expectations by a factor of 50 times and prove linear nanometer positioning requires no gears, levers, or hydraulic converters.