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This study will design a starshade structure that utilizes novel dissipative and phononic metamaterials to design ultra-stable occulter structures at a fraction of the mass of traditional deployable designs. By enabling lower mass starshades with lower fuel requirements, this technology can transform our ability to discover exoplanets.
Traditional space structure designs with typical materials trade damping for high stiffness to achieve low mass. But, metamaterial designs can increase damping while maintaining structural stiffness, reducing overall mass while maintaining high precision and overall performance. Ultra-light, ultra-stable prevision starshades at >100m would transform NASA's ability to detect exoplanets in the habitable zone.
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This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.
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