The AIRS Instrument Support Structure (ISS) holds the various subsystems together, as well as providing alignment, thermal isolation and conduction, vibration isolation, and electrical ground.​​

Description

• provides a 7-point interface to the spacecraft
• This includes a 3-point kinematic mount to the platform
• The ISS baseplate is aluminum, while the support trusses are beryllium, aluminum and titanium.
• The scan head support system, made from beryllium, consists of a three-point interface to the base ring of the instrument support truss.

Alignment

• maintains instrument alignment stability and boresight relative to the spacecraft
• maintains the alignment after exposure to the environmental loads and gravity release.
• maintains alignment after the instrument achieves operational temperature

Thermal

• thermally isolates the three thermal zones of 155 K, 190 K and 290 K
• provides high thermal conductivity between the Aqua spacecraft’s Heat Rejection System (HRS) and the electronics

Vibration

• provides vibration isolation between the cryocoolers and the spectrometer

Electrical

• serves as electrical ground and electrical isolation for sensitive electronic subsystems.

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