Device for micrometric positioning of a space optical support element along six degrees of freedom

A device for the micrometric positioning, with respect to a frame (1), of a support (2) for an optical element (3) designed to be integrated into a space system, comprising three mountings (4, 5, 6) secured to the frame (1) and, for each mounting (4, 5, 6):

• first means (9 to 12) of adjustment in translation along a first direction, of a first portion (13 to 15) of the support (2) with respect to the mounting (4, 5, 6),
• second means (20 to 22) of adjustment in translation along a second direction, at least substantially orthogonal to the first direction, of a second portion (24, 25) of the support (2) with respect to the mounting (4, 5, 6),
• third means (30 to 35) of micrometric adjustment in translation along a third direction, at least substantially orthogonal to the first and the second direction, of a third portion (36 to 38) of the support (2) with respect to the mounting (4, 5, 6), these third means (30 to 35) of micrometric adjustment including means (33 to 35) for the micrometric measurement of the distance separating the third portion (36 to 38) of the support (2) and a facing portion of the mounting (4, 5, 6),
• the different first, second and third means of adjustment (9 to 12, 20 to 22, 30 to 35) of the different mountings (4, 5, 6) being adapted so as to be able to support and hold in an isostatic manner the support (2) and the optical element (3) in place with respect to the frame (1), and to permit isostatic adjustment of the position of the support (2) with respect to the frame (1) independently with six degrees of freedom,
• means (56 to 76, 79 to 82) for locking the support in an adjusted position with respect to the frame (1) comprising:
• at least one locking screw (56, 57, 79 to 82) associated with the support (2) and the mounting (4, 5, 6) via connecting means (58, 59, 67 to 70) adapted so as to be compatible with different relative positions and orientations which can be assumed by the support (2) with respect to the mountings (4, 5, 6), taking into account the accepted ranges for the amplitudes of adjustment for the different means of adjustment of the different mountings (4, 5, 6), the locking screw (56, 57, 79 to 82) and the connecting means being adapted so as to lock, after tightening, the mounting (4, 5, 6) and the support (2) in position with respect to each other,
• at least one shim (73, 74) of which the thickness is determined as a function of the distance measured between the third portion (36 to 38) of the support (2) and the facing portion of the mounting, this shim (73, 74) being placed so as to fill entirely, with the said connecting means, the distance separating the mounting (4, 5, 6) from the support (2) about the locking screw (56, 57, 79 to 82), so that the position of the support (2) with respect to the frame (1) may be adjusted on the ground independently with six degrees of freedom, and then locked with locking screws (56, 57, 79 to 82) enabling this adjusted position to be maintained during the launch of the space system and in space.