Robust Optical Edge for a Starshade Petal

The proposed Phase II program will refine and mature the design of the optical edge, optical shield and snubber assemblies within a Starshade petal. Prototypes of each sub-assembly will be built and tested after a rigorous trade study. The final sub-assembly designs will be built and integrated to a complete petal assembly that utilizes flight-like materials and fabrication processes. The full petal assembly will be tested to demonstrate survival to launch packaging and temperature extremes. A segment of a petal will be delivered to NASA JPL for thermal distortion and stability tests. More specifically, the optical edge assembly efforts will address the integration of a micro-thin metal alloy to a low CTE composite substrate and the alignment and handling procedures required to accurately position each segment to the petal structure. The optical shield effort will address opacity, thermal expansion, micrometeoroid mitigation and venting. The snubber effort will address preload, alignment and support for the petals in the furled and launch configuration.

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. NASA has identified a potential rendezvous mission with WFIRST/AFTA because it is a large astrophysics telescope capable of supporting direct imaging with a starshade.

Technology developed during this Phase II SBIR would apply to any structure requiring a precise edge for light suppression. More specifically it would apply to precision joining methods between dissimilar materials like thin metals to carbon fiber composites. Other applications would include blanketing for thermal and light mitigation that is typically needed for space based telescopes. Methods of packaging large scale gossamer-like structures to fit within standard launch vehicle fairings and survive the launch environment can be applied to future large space deployables.

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.