Design and analysis of isostatic mounts on a spaceborne lightweight primary mirror

The paper is aimed at obtaining the optimum isostatic mount configuration for a ZERODUR (R) primary mirror with a pre-designed lightweight configuration on the back for a space Cassegrain telescope. The finite element analysis and Zernike polynomial fitting based on the Taguchi method are applied to the whole optimization process. Under the integrated optomechanical analysis, three isostatic mounts are bonded to the center of gravity of the mirror. Geometrical control factors and levels have been selected to minimize the optical aberrations under self-weight loading. The optimum isostatic mount with the least induced astigmatism value is finally attained under the Taguchi method.