Micrometeorite Shield with Tailorable, High-Performance, Thermal/Optical Properties for Spacecraft Telescope Baffle

ZeCoat Corporation is developing advanced vacuum-coated thermal, optical, and meteor-shielding materials tailored for space-based optical systems for the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO). Leveraging ZeCoat’s roll-to-roll vacuum coating system, we will manufacture multilayer coatings on ballistic-reinforced polymer membranes up to 100 feet in length. These membranes will provide thermal control, straylight suppression, and micrometeoroid protection to extend mission life and improve imaging performance. In Phase I, we will fabricate and demonstrate two thermal/optical coatings on 3-meter-long polyimide membranes provided by NeXolve Inc.: (1) low-emissivity (MLI) coatings for thermal insulation and (2) low-absorption, high-emissivity (OSR) coatings to maintain stable temperatures. Additionally, we will conduct a feasibility study on enhancing the ballistic performance of these membranes. Phase II will scale production to 30-meter membranes, conduct environmental testing, and expand coating capabilities to include high-absorption, low-emissivity straylight suppression coatings. This innovation builds upon NASA SBIR-funded advancements in roll-to-roll coating and offers a significant improvement over current state-of-the-art materials. By integrating advanced coatings with reinforced membrane substrates, we aim to provide commercially available, high-performance shielding solutions for future space telescopes and other optical systems requiring micrometeoroid protection and thermal stability.