Paper
11 November 1999 Recent developments in hybrid mirror technology for the Next Generation Space Telescope
Kelly J. Dodson, Gregory V. Mehle, Eldon P. Kasl
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Abstract
The objective of this paper is to report the recent developments in lightweight mirror technology at Composite Optics, Incorporated (COI). The developments are a result of the activities being conducted in support of the Next Generation Space Telescope (NGST) Program. The sponsors of these efforts are the NASA Marshall and Goddard Space Flight Centers. The requirements, design approach, technical challenges, hardware status, and tentative conclusions for the program are summarized. The emergence of composite materials provides exciting potential for nontraditional, accurate, lightweight, stable, stiff, and high strength mirrors. This evolving technology promises significant improvement in reducing weight, cost and cycle time for future infrared, visible, and x-ray systems. Customers currently embracing composite mirror technology for radiometric use are already reaping substantial system performance benefits. Other customers interested in LIDAR, IR, visible, and grazing incidence x-ray applications are eagerly awaiting successful completion of current technology development and demonstration efforts. 1
© (1999) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Kelly J. Dodson, Gregory V. Mehle, and Eldon P. Kasl "Recent developments in hybrid mirror technology for the Next Generation Space Telescope", Proc. SPIE 3782, Optical Manufacturing and Testing III, (11 November 1999); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.369179
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KEYWORDS
Mirrors

Composites

Space telescopes

Optical fabrication

Optics manufacturing

Glasses

Visible radiation

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