Ultra-stable Telescope Metrology Development for High-contrast Exoplanet Detection

We propose to advance the technology of several ultra-stable structure test bed technologies and metrology methods, particularly picometer spatial metrology and calibration methods, ULE mirror ultra-stable control, and ultra-stable composite stability . These technologies and metrology methods are key needs to enable a 6 meter Infra-Red Optical Ultra-Violet (IROUV) space telescope as recommended in the Decadal Survey on Astronomy and Astrophysics 2020 report “Pathways to Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 2020s” (hereafter, Astro2020): “the mission the survey puts forward will combine a large, stable telescope with an advanced coronagraph”. A telescope of this type can support both general class astrophysics and high contrast imaging though the driving telescope technological need is for the primary mirror to be stable to approximately 10 pm RMS over control bandwidths ranging from minutes to hours.

The Strategic Astrophysics Technology program (SAT) supports focused development efforts for key technologies to the point at which they are ready to feed into major missions in the three science themes of the Astrophysics Division: Exoplanet Exploration, Cosmic Origins, and the Physics of the Cosmos. This program is specifically designed to address middle technology readiness level (TRL) "gaps" between levels 3 and 6: the maturation of technologies that have been established as feasible, but which are not yet sufficiently mature to incorporate into flight missions without introducing an unacceptable level of risk. NASA does not require a data management plan for proposals to SAT.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — 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.

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