Technology continues to be developed at NASA GSFC to produce SCSi lightweight mirrors for cryogenic and other applications. This proposal aims to contribute to this effort by developing a process to supply mirrors of larger diameter than can readily be produced directly by crystal growth, i.e. larger than about 450 mm diameter. SCSi mirrors have important performance and cost advantages over ULE, SiC, Zerodur and beryllium for the whole spectrum of applications for scan mirrors and telescopes. NASA applications include GOES-R satellites and Lidar for planetary explorations and space-based astrophysics. The present proposal represents a solution to producing high-quality low-stress large SCSi mirrors and substrates at much reduced cost in comparison to any other technology.
Besides NASA, the excellent properties of SCSi mirror substrates make then desirable for Defense applications as well, such as scan mirrors for telescopes for imaging, surveillance and reconnaissance and for high energy air-borne laser systems. Customers for Onyx Optics will include Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin.
More »