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Completed TRL 6 (started at 1, targeting 6)
We propose to design and prototype a meter-class sunshade deployable from a CubeSat or SmallSat. The sunshade is intended to be used in combination with a focusing optic mounted at its center. Light from an object of interest is focused on a science detector while all light sources near the target source will be blocked by the sunshade. This will dramatically improve image quality of the target source. Our sunshade will stow into a compact volume while providing a large area rigid shade upon deployment.
Our goal is to enable an ultra-high resolution extreme ultra-violet (EUV) telescope for solar observations that requires an occulter/sunshade. The sunshade can be deployed from a separate small spacecraft travelling in precision formation with the science detector, or could be mounted at the end of an optical boom. By blocking extraneous light from reaching the science detector, the shade will dramatically improve image quality of the science observations.
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