Structural configuration for the Terrestrial Planet Finder structurally connected interferometer concept

This paper describes the basic structural design of the Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF) Structurally Connected Interferometer concept developed within the Jet Propulsion Laboratory design team. Descriptions of the key structural components, optical elements, and basic load paths are included. Key structural requirements related to launch loads and on-orbit stability and alignment are identified. The analysis results for the baseline design are shown for both launch configuration and the deployed, on-orbit configuration. The finite element models are described with preliminary results shown. Excitation of the structure and the optical train caused by assumed external disturbances are shown for a preliminary analysis. Future work is identified.