Development of the Infrared Space Telescope, MIRIS

MIRIS (Multipurpose Infra-Red Imaging System), is a small infrared space telescope which is being developed by KASI, as the main payload of Science and Technology Satellite 3 (STSAT-3). Two wideband filters (I and H) of the MIRIS enables us to study the cosmic infrared background by detecting the absolute background brightness. The narrow band filter for Paschen ${\alpha}$ emission line observation will be employed to survey the Galactic plane for the study of warm ionized medium and interstellar turbulence. The opto-mechanical design of the MIRIS is optimized to operate around 200K for the telescope, and the cryogenic temperature around 90K for the sensor in the orbit, by using passive and active cooling technique, respectively. The engineering and qualification model of the MIRIS has been fabricated and successfully passed various environmental tests, including thermal, vacuum, vibration and shock tests. The flight model was also assembled and is in the process of system optimization to be launched in 2012 by a Russian rocket. The mission operation scenario and the data reduction software is now being developed. After the successful mission of FIMS (the main payload of STSAT-1), MIRIS is the second Korean space telescope, and will be an important step towards the future of Korean space astronomy.