Membrane Aperture Shell Technology-Enabled EO/IR/RF Calibration Surfaces

Leveraging their proven EO, RF performance and known IR behavior, the development of a Membrane Aperture Shell Technology enabled family of cost advantaged EO/IR/RF SSA sensor calibration surfaces is proposed.  Very lightweight membrane shells (130g for a 1m diameter shell) are compactly roll-stowed for launch to orbit.  Due to their compact stowage and low weight, large numbers can be packaged onto a host vehicle for subsequent dispersal.  On orbit, the release of a simple roll-restraint strap allows the shell to passively self-deploy back to its double-curved state.  Gravity gradient and atmospheric drag provide a passive attitude control orientation during orbit.  To maximize the potential cost advantages and enable rapid transition to space application, the basic concept has been kept as simple and straightforward as possible.  Since the underlying Membrane Shell Technology is fairly advanced, in the PI, we propose 1) more detailed system-level feasibility studies, 2) developing detailed material, coating, and prescription based specific models of EO/RF/IR signal behavior, 3) refining the balance of system architecture, and 4) performing critical path proof-of-concept experimental tests to confirm predicted shell behavior.  This prepares the way for a PII focused on protoflight hardware development and the subsequent PII/PIII transition to flight demonstration opportunities. BENEFIT: As described in the solicitation, there is a need to precisely calibrate ground- and space-based Space Situational Awareness Sensors (i.e. the U.S. SOSI system).  To do this efficiently, the calibration artifacts must have known, simultaneously measured behavior and signals in the EO, IR, and RF wavebands.  There is also a desire to be able to fly multiple calibration artifacts and this implies that they should be low cost.  This, in turn, implies that they must be as simple, rugged, robust, and lightweight as possible.  To meet this need, we propose the use of doubly-curved thin film shells based on Mevicon Incs Membrane Aperture Shell Technology which are being developed for reflective RF to optics applications.  Once developed, the resulting availability of Membrane Aperture Shell Technology calibration surfaces would provide the AF and the MDA with the calibration surfaces they need to increase confidence in the United States Space Situational Awareness sensor network.  Potential spin-offs of the proposed technology enabled by the basic flight heritage of the calibration surfaces beyond military calibration artifact surface applications include RF apertures for space science and communication, as well as possible implementation as solar sails for nano-satellite class payloads.  Lightbucket applications in incoherent LIDAR, solar thermal propulsion, and solar power concentrators are possible as well.  As surface figure is increased, applications as reflective primaries and secondaries in EO systems (such as coherent LIDAR and telescopes) are foreseen as well.