The development of stacked core technology for the fabrication of deep lightweight UV-quality space mirrors

Gary W. Matthews; Robert Egerman; Steven P. Maffett; H. Philip Stahl; Ron Eng; Michael R. Effinger

doi:10.1117/12.2055284

28 August 2014 The development of stacked core technology for the fabrication of deep lightweight UV-quality space mirrors

Gary W. Matthews, Robert Egerman, Steven P. Maffett, H. Philip Stahl, Ron Eng, Michael R. Effinger

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 9143, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2014: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter Wave; 91431U (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2055284
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2014, Montréal, Quebec, Canada

Abstract

The 2010 Decadal Survey stated that an advanced large-aperture ultraviolet, optical, near-infrared (UVOIR) telescope is required to enable the next generation of compelling astrophysics and exoplanet science; and, that present technology is not mature enough to affordably build and launch any potential UVOIR mission concept. Under Science and Technology funding, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) and Exelis have developed a more cost effective process to make 4m class or larger monolithic spaceflight UV quality, low areal density, thermally and dynamically stable primary mirrors. A proof of concept 0.43m mirror was completed at Exelis optically tested at 250K at MSFC which demonstrated the ability for imaging out to 2.5 microns. The parameters and test results of this concept mirror are shown. The next phase of the program includes a 1.5m subscale mirror that will be optically and dynamically tested. The scale-up process will be discussed and the technology development path to a 4m mirror system by 2018 will be outlined.

Citation Download Citation

Gary W. Matthews, Robert Egerman, Steven P. Maffett, H. Philip Stahl, Ron Eng, and Michael R. Effinger "The development of stacked core technology for the fabrication of deep lightweight UV-quality space mirrors", Proc. SPIE 9143, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2014: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter Wave, 91431U (28 August 2014); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2055284

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