UV/Optical to Far-Infrared Mirror & Telescope Technology Development

MSFC proposes to develop and mature technology needed to enable and implement high priority Astrophysics Missions and train future subject matter experts needed to provide the inherently governmental functions of insight/oversight for technology development and for the design, fabrication and acceptance testing of optical, mechanical and structural components for large space telescopes. And to utilize MSFC's in-house capabilities to manufacture and test optical components; and independently characterize/qualify the performance in a relevant flight environment of candidate mirror systems or performance/acceptance test flight mirror systems. MSFC has specific unique capabilities and expertise for the development and maturation of technology to enable telescopes from ultraviolet to far-infrared. For FY23 to FY25, MSFC proposes to develop and mature technology that address three Tier 1 Gaps identified by the 2022 Astrophysics Biannual Technology Report and their Sub-Gaps identified by the 2022 Exoplanet Exploration Program Technology Gap List. These technologies support the Decadal recommended VURGO and IRGO missions, potential Far-IR Probe missions, as well as numerous balloon Mid-IR science missions. Finally, the MSFC UVOIR Team provides services to the community, including cryo-testing, analysis and subject matter expertise to projects (such as HabEx), studies (such as SMTP), management of SBIR Sub-Topic and awarded contracts, and the NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) Sensors and Instruments Technical Discipline Team (S&I TDT). Current and on-going activities include analyzing the effect of near-angle scatter and micrometeoroid impacts on incoherent noise in a coronagraph dark hole and upgrading the Telescope Cost Model and Arnold Mirror Modeler tools.

The Internal Scientist Funding Model (ISFM) is a recently established direct-funding model after 3 years of pilot program, now established as permanent, whereby APD funds technology development work by NASA scientists through a separate channel than competed programs like APRA. APD may find it advisable to directly fund certain technology-development projects, e.g., for programmatic reasons such as ensuring NASA meets commitments made to international partners including the European Space Agency (ESA). Another reason may be to optimize the scientific and technological output of NASA scientists and technology developers.

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.