Feasibility assessment of the in-flight alignment of a Schlieren system using tele-operation and automation

At NLR a multiple source schlieren observation system has been developed as part of the Tele-operated Prototype Optical Diagnostic Instrument (TelePODI). A technique for the tele-operated alignment of the gratings of the schlieren system is described. Future requirements for teleoperation/automation motivated a detailed analysis as a case study. First a theory of alignment is assessed, then it is applied to the actual TelePODI setup and quantitative estimations are made which are (to a large extent) experimentally verified. Furthermore a practical alignment procedure is described and a first assessment of automation of the procedure is made. Finally a first analysis of the determination of the correct position of the lens of the schlieren system is made as well as a first analysis of the sensitivity curve of the system.