Development of a Wave Front Control system for space utilizing MEMS Deformable Mirrors

The objective of this project is to miniaturize DM drive electronics, reducing size, mass and power consumption by orders of magnitude.

Potential customers and applications: Current DM makers (e.g., Boston Micro Machines), exoplanet imaging missions like Alpha Centauri Exoplanet Satellite (ACESat), Exo-planet direct imaging: coronagraph probe (ExO-C) & the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope/Astrophysics-Focused Telescope Assets (WFIRST/AFTA-C), Earth imaging, laser comm. Deliverables: 1 controller, software drivers & test report. Follow-on work: Current vendors of DMs and other centers (e.g., Jet Propulsion Laboratory - JPL) have already expressed interest in using this device for space missions. Astrophysics Research and Analysis (APRA), Strategic Astrophysics Technology (SAT), and or Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) proposals can be submitted to continue.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 5) — 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.