Alan A Duncan

US Patent:

7631839, Dec 15, 2009

Filed:

Aug 17, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/205012

Inventors:

Alan L. Duncan - Sunnyvale CA, US
Robert D. Sigler - Cupertino CA, US
David M. Stubbs - Mountain View CA, US
Eric H. Smith - San Jose CA, US
Richard L. Kendrick - San Mateo CA, US
Joseph T. Pitman - Pine CO, US

Assignee:

Lockheed Martin Corporation - Bethesda MD

International Classification:

B64G 1/00

US Classification:

2441581, 2441731, 359365, 359399

Abstract:

A multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor (“MIDAS”) science payload system mounted on a spacecraft, including a spacecraft interface ring affixing the MIDAS science payload system to the spacecraft, and a multiple telescope array (“MTA”) further including a mechanical subsystem further including an optical bench, an optical subsystem mounted upon the mechanical subsystem collecting light and merging the light into a passive, actively-sensed or hyperspectral image, and a laser subsystem providing laser illumination for collecting active remote sensing data. The MIDAS science payload system also includes a hexapod in physical communication with and between the spacecraft interface ring and the mechanical subsystem. The MIDAS science payload system further includes a plurality of launch locks affixed to the spacecraft interface ring supporting the MTA in a stowed configuration, and a plurality of science instruments (“SIs”) mounted on the mechanical subsystem obverse to the optical subsystem, individually and concurrently sensing the passive, actively sensed or hyperspectral image.

US Patent:

8115994, Feb 14, 2012

Filed:

Jun 30, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/165483

Inventors:

Alan L. Duncan - Sunnyvale CA, US
Robert D. Sigler - Cupertino CA, US

Assignee:

Lockheed Martin Corporation - Bethesda MD

International Classification:

G02B 23/00

US Classification:

359399

Abstract:

A scanning wide-field telescope includes a primary reflecting mirror and a corrector assembly. The corrector assembly corrects light beams for spherical aberration imposed on the light beams by the primary reflecting mirror. The corrector assembly is located between the primary reflecting mirror and a viewing end of the telescope, and is configured to move to multiple optical focal points of the primary reflecting mirror.

US Patent:

8179598, May 15, 2012

Filed:

Aug 13, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/541110

Inventors:

David Stubbs - Mountain View CA, US
Alan Duncan - Sunnyvale CA, US
Kenneth R. Lorell - Los Altos CA, US
Howard C. Holmes - Boulder Creek CA, US

Assignee:

Lockheed Martin Corporation - Bethesda MD

International Classification:

G02B 23/08
G02B 23/00

US Classification:

359405, 359399, 359408

Abstract:

A telescope comprises a folding reflector comprising a plurality of sections configured to fold at a plurality of substantially parallel hinges, a support structure configured to support at least two of the plurality of sections of the folding reflector and further configured to fold at one of the plurality of substantially parallel hinges, a corrector assembly configured to deploy from a stowed position in which an optical axis of the corrector assembly is substantially parallel to the parallel hinges to a deployed position in which the optical axis is substantially perpendicular to the folding reflector when the folding reflector is deployed. The telescope further comprises a hexapod configured to stow and deploy the corrector assembly.

US Patent:

59055910, May 18, 1999

Filed:

Feb 18, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/801631

Inventors:

Alan L. Duncan - Sunnyvale CA
Richard Lee Kendrick - Foster City CA
Robert D. Sigler - Cupertino CA

Assignee:

Lockheed Martin Corporation - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

G02B23/00

US Classification:

359399

Abstract:

A multi-aperture imaging system for continuous dwell imaging of complex extended scenes which are not required to contain localized point sources. The multi-aperture imaging system includes a plurality of subaperture telescopes, each of which collect image data of an instantaneous field of view of an extended object scene within a field of regard of the imaging system. The image data collected by each subaperture telescope is transferred by respective optical delay paths to a beam combiner which combines all the image data in coherent fashion to form a single high resolution image of said object scene at a focal plane of the beam combiner. The subaperture telescopes are optically phased using phase diversity techniques which include using a phase diversity sensor located at the focal plane of the beam combiner to detect wavefront errors in the collected images. A phase controller is used to make phase and tilt adjustments to moveable mirror in the optical delay paths of the respective subaperture telescopes to ensure that the path length travelled by the collected image data from each subaperture telescope is maintained equal. The subaperture telescopes are supported on a deployable Y-shaped framework which folds up for compact stowage within a satellite launch canister.

US Patent:

55982611, Jan 28, 1997

Filed:

Jul 7, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/499608

Inventors:

Alan L. Duncan - Sunnyvale CA
Daniel S. Acton - Riverton WY
Richard L. Kendrick - Foster City CA

Assignee:

Lockheed Missiles & Space Company, Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

G01J 120

US Classification:

356121

Abstract:

A wavefront sensor for use in a scanning imaging system for generating focused and defocused images of an object scene that is being imaged by the imaging system from a single input optical beam impinged thereon. The two images are combinable using phase diversity techniques for calculating the wavefront aberrations that are present in the imaging system. The wavefront sensor includes a first linear photodetector array for forming a best focused image of an object scene as an incoming optical beam scans across the first linear photodetector array. The wavefront sensor further includes a second photodetector array disposed parallel to the first photodetector array. The second photodetector array is provided with a compensator plate for inducing a known focus error in the image that is formed on the second photodetector array as the input optical scans across the second photodetector array. In one embodiment, the two photodetector arrays are configured as CCD arrays on a single substrate. In a second embodiment, each of the first and second photodetector arrays are configured as a plurality of spaced detector segments.

US Patent:

56107072, Mar 11, 1997

Filed:

Jul 7, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/499325

Inventors:

Alan L. Duncan - Sunnyvale CA
Daniel S. Acton - Riverton WY
Richard L. Kendrick - Foster City CA

Assignee:

Lockheed Missiles & Space Co., Inc. - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

G01J 120

US Classification:

356121

Abstract:

A wavefront sensor for use in a staring imaging system for generating focused and defocused images of an object scene that is being imaged by the imaging system from a single input optical beam impinged thereon. The wavefront sensor includes a beamsplitter for splitting an optical input beam into identical first and second half beam portions and for focusing the first and second half beam portions onto respective first and second focal planes. A phase plate is interposed between the beamsplitter and the second focal plane for inducing a known focus error in the second half beam portion. A photodetector is also provided and is effective to form a best focused image and a slightly out of focus image at the first and second focal planes, respectively. The focused and defocused images are combinable using phase diversity techniques to estimate wavefront aberrations present in the imaging system.