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A concept study was performed in 1994 to develop a mission design for a telescope to achieve the highest possible spatial resolution in the 10-30 micron range within a $200 million mission cost cap. The selected approach for the resulting Mid-Infrared Optimized Resolution Spacecraft (MIRORS) concept design utilizes a partially filled five meter aperture.

SIRTF has undergone recent replanning to address new cost constraints while defining a scientifically compelling mission faithful to the Bahcall report priorities and responsive to recent scientific developments.

A system concept for a space based segmented reflector telescope figure control subsystem is described. The concept employs a two phase architecture in which figure initialization and figure maintenance are independent functions. Figure initialization is accomplished by image sharpening using natural reference targets. Figure maintenance is performed by monitoring the relative positions and alignments of the telescope components using an optical truss. Actuation is achieved using precision positioners. Computer simulation results of figure initialization by pairwise segment coalignment/cophasing and simulated annealing are presented along with figure maintenance results using a wavefront error regulation algorithm. Both functions are shown to perform at acceptable levels for the class of submillimeter telescopes that are serving as the focus of this technology development effort. Component breadboard work as well as plans for a system testbed are discussed.