NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts
10 meter Sub-Orbital Large Balloon Reflector (LBR)
Project Introduction
If successful, the Large Balloon Reflector (LBR) will allow high spatial and spectral resolution follow-on studies from missions such as Herschel, Spitzer, and SOFIA to be performed at a fraction of the cost of space-based systems. The large collecting area of the LBR will also permit sensitive limb sounding studies of the Earth's atmosphere to be made and serve as a powerful tool for realizing communication networks for low-power ground stations or surveillance activities.
The telescope consists of an inflatable, half-aluminized spherical reflector deployed within a much larger carrier balloon - either zero pressure or super pressure.
More »Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners
| Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
NASA Headquarters
(HQ)
|
Lead Organization | NASA Center | Washington, DC |
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
(JPL)
|
Supporting Organization | NASA Center | Pasadena, CA |
| University of Arizona | Supporting Organization | Academic |
| Co-Funding Partners | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Johns Hopkins University | Academic | |
| Southwest Research Institute | Academic | San Antonio, TX |
Primary U.S. Work Locations
-
Arizona
-
California
-
Maryland
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Organizational Responsibility
Responsible Mission Directorate:
- Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD)
Lead Center / Facility:
- NASA Headquarters (HQ)
Responsible Program:
- NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts
Project Management
Program Director:
Principal Investigator:
- Christopher K Walker
Co-Investigators:
- Paul Goldsmith
- Ira S Smith
- Pietro Bernasconi
Project Duration
Start: Jul 2013
End: Mar 2014
Technology Maturity (TRL)
| Start: | 1 |
| Current: | 2 |
| Estimated End: | 2 |
Applied Research
Development
Demo & Test
Technology Areas
Primary:
- TA 12 Materials, Structures, Mechanical Systems and Manufacturing
- TA 12.4 Manufacturing
- TA 12.4.3 Electronics and Optics Manufacturing Process
Other / Cross-cutting:
- TA 5 Communications, Navigation, and Orbital Debris Tracking and Characterization Systems
- TA 5.6 Revolutionary Concepts