Mobile RAVEN Observatory

The effectiveness of a rapid autonomous mobile optical system (RAMOS) observatory is predicated on its durability, compact design, user-friendliness in field operations, and superior optical performance. In the past, setting up mobile Raven systems required a team of approximately 5 individuals, including multiple experts, and as much as three weeks of preparation before commencing mission operations. There's a pressing need for engineering solutions that can enhance the system's portability while simplifying its operations and decreasing setup duration. The ideal system should not only withstand transportation challenges but also match the optical prowess of stationary observatories. Furthermore, it needs to operate both autonomously and remotely, delivering high-resolution imagery and pointing accuracy below 2 arcseconds, crucial for addressing Space Domain Awareness (SDA) demands. Leveraging modern engineering techniques and breakthrough methodologies EO Solutions, in collaboration with PlaneWave Instruments (PWI) and Hart Scientific Consulting International (HartSCI), plans to devise an integrated transport structure designed to shield the telescope from adverse environmental conditions. This structure will be equipped with a shock-absorbing system to counteract potential transportation impacts. EO Solutions is set to undertake a study to ensure the telescope's design remains unaffected by wind and solar influences. Our previous engagements, such as our ruggedization projects in high-energy-laser (HEL) contexts [MEHEL, DE M-SHORAD…], collaboration with MACHINA on SDA machine learning, and profound understanding of the nuances of optical payload transport necessities, position EO Solutions ideally for this endeavor. PWI will contribute by supplying the Commercial Off-The Shelf (COTS) telescope, including the gimbal and relevant control software. With a 17-year history of designing and manufacturing telescopes, gimbals, related accessories, and control software, PWI is capable and prepared to support RAMOS and the larger Raven program through both existing COTS and modified-COTS solutions. Their extensive range of telescopes fits the Raven model, ensuring both top-notch optical results and easy integration. HartSCI's role will be pivotal in providing inputs to environmental controls, observing CONOPs, mechanical and software engineering support, tasking, imaging, and Adaptive Optics (AO) expertise and control software. A preliminary concept for RAMOS is shown in Figure . RAMOS is designed as a package that includes everything necessary for remote operations, transportable on a trailer that is easily towed by pickup trucks or SUV’s. The packaging of RAMOS is unique in that one common configuration of the trailer and support equipment can accommodate all of the telescope configurations desired by the government up to 1m diameter without modifications.