Space Subaru: great science observatories in the space station era

Abstract

A concept of 'Space Factory' on the International Space Station Alpha (ISSA) is described. Following the four great observatories deployed by the Space Transportation System (STS), the next generation of great observatories would require a very large, 10-meter class optical telescope. A telescope of this size will require careful assembly and tuning by astronauts on orbit before deployment. Once built, it could visualize the universe to the earliest galaxies, and could explore the earth-like planet in other star- system. The 'Space Factory' is conceived by including four or five frontier astrophysics programs. Less demanding experiments could precede the construction of the most demanding optical telescope. Space SUBARU is a 10 meter- diameter optical telescope with a diffraction limited optics. Space-Submillimeter-and-IR-Telescope is a 20 meter- diameter sub-millimeter telescope. A 10-meter-cube telescope is for observing gamma-rays from 1 GeV to 10 TeV. The Multiple-OWL is an earth's night-sky-watcher for the highest energy cosmic rays. Space SUBARU envisages a plan of orbital construction, fine-tuning and deployment of large scale astrophysical instruments into the desired free-flying orbit. It incorporates physical aids of the robotics and extra-vehicle activities of astronauts.