Technology Maturation for Astrophysics Space Telescopes (TechMAST)

In the next decade, NASA envisions a large space-based telescope that will perform unprecedented astronomy focused on the detection and characterization of Earth-like exoplanets. Recent advances in optical coronography have enabled this mission, but the technology imposes unprecedented requirements on telescope dynamic stability, optical system alignment sensing and control, and vibration isolation. The large physical apertures drive the architecture to a segmented Primary Mirror, requiring new advances in optical manufacturing. Several envisioned mission architectures – the Origins Space Telescope, the Habitable Exoplanet (HabEx) Observatory, the Large Ultraviolet /Optical /InfraRed (LUVOIR) Surveyor – have identified in their 2018 Interim Reports technology gaps that require technology maturation beyond the current state of the art to support the exoplanet characterization mission. Spanning two decades, Lockheed Martin Space (LMS) has invested in technology development to address two of these identified gaps: high-performance non-contact vibration isolation from spacecraft disturbances, and laser metrology systems. Our investment in a unique Disturbance Free Payload (DFP) non-contact pointing and isolation architecture has contributed to this technology being baselined for the LUVOIR Surveyor architecture. LMS and our partners are excited to participate with NASA, maturing these critical technologies to enable the next generation of astrophysics missions. Under the Technology Maturation for Astrophysics Space Telescopes (TechMAST) program, we propose to close key technology gaps identified by NASA mission concept study teams over Phases II and III of System Level Segmented Telescope Design (SLSTD) funding, while realizing significant risk reduction. In the proposed TechMAST program plan spanning Phases II-III, we achieve system TRL 6 of non-contact vibration isolation and picometer-precision laser metrology by 2025. We achieve these TRL objectives through system design, ground and CubeSat-based on-orbit testbeds and integrated modeling. The specific proposed Phase II tasks described and costed in this proposal establish a solid trajectory for achieving these TRL milestones. In addition to these two LMS core competencies, TechMAST will address risks associated with large-scale segment manufacturing technology gap identified by LUVOIR, through a manufacturing hardware technology demonstrator. Together, we will retire risks associated with the insertion of these three technologies into NASA’s next-generation mission concepts. Maturation in these three areas also has direct benefit beyond the 2020 Decadal Survey mission concepts to include other NASA large telescope architecture studies, such as the in-Space Assembled Telescope. LMS has assembled a leadership team with a proven partnership with NASA under SLSTD Phase I funding, and brings new capabilities through our external partners (Harris, University of Florida and Endless Frontiers Associates) that directly address the technology maturation challenges called for in Phase II. The TechMAST program will leverage extensive facilities at the Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Center that support the entire scope of program hardware assembly, integration and test, including environmental testing of flight electronics, flight hardware assembly, large-space vibration isolation testbeds, and metrology test chambers. Finally, LMS recognizes the value of providing internal funding to fully achieve the technology maturation milestones for large segmented optical systems, and the TechMAST program is currently leveraging significant LMS internal Research and Development funding to ensure that these TRL milestones are met in support of NASAs future flagship astrophysics missions.

The Segmented Mirror Technology Program (SMTP) seeks to mature integrated system architectures that could enable the next generation of large space telescopes. At the end of 2017, NASA solicited industry proposals to carry out one-year end-to-end system-level engineering design and modeling studies and a subsequent RFP (Phase 2) requested proposals for technology maturation of technology gaps for large segmented-aperture or monolithic telescopes.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.