Center Innovation Fund: MSFC CIF
The Fabrication of Ultra-Lightweight Full-Shell X-ray Optics by 3D-Printing (Year 2)
Project Introduction
The proposal seeks to demonstrate printing of material directly onto a precisely figured mandrel in order to eliminate secondary forming and polishing steps after the printing process. The first process is to electroform a very thin (i.e., 50 micron) layer of Ni onto a mandrel. Afterward the ceramic is printed onto the electroformed nickel, heat treated at low temperature, and then released. The second approach is to use a thin film release layer such as Titanium Nitride (TiN) which is deposited on the mandrel prior to printing of the ceramic. After printing the ceramic is heat treated at low temperature and then released.
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Anticipated Benefits
Nickel electroforming is a mature technology that has been refined over the last two decades to enable the fabrication of full-shell x-ray optics that have met the mass and angular resolution (i.e., 15-30 arc seconds) requirements for numerous flight programs. The next generation of high resolution, large collection area x-ray space telescopes, such as Lynx; however, will require optics that are beyond the current performance capability of traditional electroformed optics.
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Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners
| Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
Marshall Space Flight Center
(MSFC)
|
Lead Organization | NASA Center | Huntsville, AL |
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Organizational Responsibility
Responsible Mission Directorate:
- Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD)
Lead Center / Facility:
- Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC)
Responsible Program:
- Center Innovation Fund: MSFC CIF
Project Management
Program Director:
Principal Investigator:
Project Duration
Start: Oct 2017
End: Sep 2018
Technology Maturity (TRL)
| Start: | 1 |
| Current: | 1 |
Applied Research
Development
Demo & Test
Technology Areas
Primary:
- TA 8 Science Instruments, Observatories, and Sensor Systems
- TA 8.2 Observatories
- TA 8.2.1 Mirror Systems
Target Destinations
Outside the Solar System, Others Inside the Solar System
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