Thin deformable mirrors for a reconfigurable space telescope
Abstract
As part of a small satellite technology demonstration that will utilize autonomous assembly, reconfiguration, and docking technology to form the primary mirror for the mission's telescope payload, the mirror segments are required to modify and control their shape, in order to allow for imaging in different configurations. This paper focuses on the development of 10 cm diameter active lightweight mirrors. The current mirror design, control scheme, and fabrication methods are described, as well as experimental results on initial samples. The data demonstrates that the mirrors are capable of at least 100 microns of displacement during operation, and that fabrication on polished molds can result in high quality reflective surfaces.
Additional Information
© 2012 AIAA. We thank Eleftherious Gdoutos for establishing the early fabrication effort, and Dr. Harish Manohara (JPL) for providing access to JPL Microdevices Lab (MDL) cleanroom facilities for sample fabrication. We also thank Drs. Risaku Toda and Victor White (JPL) for assistance and advice on sample fabrication. The students in the Caltech Ae105 class contributed greatly to the mission telescope concept design, and we would like to acknowledge their efforts here. We also thank Dr. Jim Breckinridge for helpful discussions on telescope design, John Steeves, Prof. Chiara Daraio (Caltech), and Dr. Andrew Shapiro (JPL) also for help and advice regarding the fabrication of prototype mirrors. We also appreciate the fabrication facilities provided by the Molecular Materials Research Center and Kavli Nanoscience Institute at Caltech. Financial support from the Keck Institute of Space Studies (KISS) at Caltech is gratefully acknowledged.Attached Files
Submitted - thin_deformable.pdf
Files
| Name | Size | Download all |
|---|---|---|
|
md5:880d95b45feb74074f0425f93f3a226d
|
1.9 MB | Preview Download |
Additional details
- Eprint ID
- 65050
- Resolver ID
- CaltechAUTHORS:20160303-153240359
- Keck Institute for Space Studies (KISS)
- Created
-
2016-03-05Created from EPrint's datestamp field
- Updated
-
2021-11-10Created from EPrint's last_modified field
- Caltech groups
- Keck Institute for Space Studies, Kavli Nanoscience Institute, GALCIT
- Other Numbering System Name
- AIAA Paper
- Other Numbering System Identifier
- 2012-1668