Fabrication Process Development for Light Deformable Mirrors, Year 2
Project Description
The project objective is to develop robust, reproducible fabrication processes to realize functional deformable membrane mirrors (DM) for a space mission in which multiple nanosatellites will demonstrate in-orbit self-assembly of a space telescope. These mirrors are made of thin layers of a piezoelectric polymer (PVDF), patterned in unique ways to provide surface-parallel actuation. Each wafer-scale mirror contains on the order of 100 dependent actuating elements.
More »Anticipated Benefits
This technology will benefit future NASA programs involving small satellites or cluster of small satellites for Earth observation, large aperture space telescopes for Astrophysics, and other game changing technologies involving small satellite swarms. The technology meets NASA strategic goals in Earth Science: to better understand our planet. One of the applications that can benefit from this development is the space imaging monitoring of seismic waves. The project results benefit commercial space industry and other government agencies. The capability of autonomous assembly is attractive to commercial space industry because of potentially low launch costs. The large aperture, error correction, and reconfigurable nature of these space telescopes are attractive to Defense applications as well.
More »Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners
| Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) | Lead Organization | FFRDC/UARC | Pasadena, California |
| California Institute of Technology (CalTech) | Supporting Organization | Academia | Pasadena, California |
Primary U.S. Work Locations
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California
