Abstract: The focal plane assembly of the Sounding of theAtmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER)instrument is supported using Fiber Support Technology(FiST) which utilizes high performance fibers intension to mechanically support and thermally isolate acooled component from a warm environment. Details ofthis approach were presented in detail at SPIE meetingin Denver in 1996. The SABER team deemed it necessaryto perform optical stability testing on thisnever-before-flown technology for supporting focalplane assemblies to determine if precise positioningcould be maintained through vibration and thermalcycling. After subjecting the support system tovibration and thermal cycling, the angular orientationbetween the warm outer support structure and the innercold block was measured. Since the outer supportstructure serves as the reference location forpositioning the focal plane assembly and the cold blockis where the detectors reside, it was possible todetermine if FiST meets the optical stabilityrequirements for the SABER instrument. The results fromthis testing are presented, discussed, and compared tothe optical requirements of the SABER instrument. Abrief summary of current thermal and mechanicalenhancements to the system will also be discussed.!2
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