Springback-Compensated, Submillimeter Reflectors

Inconsistent radius of curvature of replicated, composite reflector panels limit application of composites to large, segmented telescope apertures. This project proposes to characterize, compensate for, and optimize the behavior of affordable, graphite composite reflector sandwich panels suitable for large aperture, sub-millimeter space and earth science instruments. Advances in understanding and optimizing sandwich panel behavior may enable science missions to obtain new levels of technical performance. Future NASA missions including the Cornell Caltech Atacama Telescope (CCAT) and Global Atmospheric Composition Mission (GACM), require 1 to 4 meter aperture, submillimeter-wavelength, primary reflector (mirror) segments.

Government: Renewable energy interests have indicated a desire to field an ever growing number of large solar concentrators. The maturing of the materials, process, and design competencies would position VCG to capture additional work in this area. Key customers in this area are at the Department of Energy and possibly DoD. Commercial: Large, accurate, thermally stable reflectors may be needed for broadband wireless spacecraft. The increasing need to provide internet capabilities to remote locations for commercial applications has lead several service providers and spacecraft manufacturers to consider constellations of spacecraft to meet this need. Lightweight, large-aperture, thermally stable reflectors with micron level tolerances will be needed to meet the ever growing needs for traffic capacity per spacecraft. This program could provide enabling technology for these commercial spacecraft systems. VCG has good contacts within each of the Primes where these opportunities will likely emerge.

The capabilities proposed in this SBIR would be relevant to a variety of Space and Earth science missions currently in various stages of formulation. The nearest term target for inserting the reflector technology include the CCAT and SMLS missions. Mission study groups at JPL, Cornell, GSFC, and LaRC (LIDAR) are the most likely customers in this area.

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.