High Accuracy Pointing Control Using a MEMS Mirror for a Micro Space Telescope

Tohoku University and Chiba Institute of Technology have been working on the development of a Micro Space Telescope satellite for planetary science exploration. Long-term photometric observations are indispensable in the search for exoplanets with long orbital periods using the transit method. Improvement of the detection rate needs miniaturizing and improving satellite systems while conducting coordinated observations. Image blurring adversely affects photometric accuracy, thereby diminishing the likelihood of discovering exoplanets, and hence, accurate pointing control is imperative for telescopes. This study aims to achieve arcsecond-level pointing accuracy by using MEMS mirror tip-tilt control to rectify the optical path, well better than what can be achieved with traditionally attitude control on the satellite itself. This research will encompass both laboratory experiments employing the star simulator and simulation outcomes pertaining to MEMS mirror control and satellite attitude control.