Optical Shield for a Starshade Petal

The goal of this Phase I SBIR program is to design and develop a segmented optical shield that can be integrated to a petal structure and meet the precision, ground handling, packaging, launch and on-orbit environmental requirements. There will be an emphasis on the optical shield to petal interface to minimize CTE effects. The optical shields will also be optimized to support the petals during launch. The Ph1 program will involve numerous hardware demonstration units and testing.

Technology developed during this SBIR program will be directly applied to any NASA telescope program involved with exoplanet discovery and characterization that needs an external occulter, or Starshade. More broadly, technology will be developed that will allow high coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) structures to be simply and cost effectively joined to low CTE structures with low interface forces and minimal impact on structural precision.

During this SBIR, technology will be developed that will allow two structures with different expansion rates to be simply and cost effectively joined with low interface forces and minimal impact on structural precision. These interfaces are quite common on typical satellite assemblies. Some examples include radiator panels to carbon/epoxy support frame, solar array panels or blankets to external support frame or even at a more micro level can be between an integrated solar cell and a supporting substrate.

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.

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.