Extremely Low Areal Density Composite Isogrid Supported Hybrid Membrane Optical Shell Reflector

Mevicon Inc., ManTech-SRS, and Foster-Miller, leading innovators in the area of lightweight Membrane Optical Systems, materials, and structures have teamed to propose the development of a novel and innovative method of realizing very low areal density, cost effective membrane reflectors based on a combination of 1) Mevicon Inc’s demonstrated scalable, cost efficient fabrication approach for “Strength Through CurvatureTM” enabled single surface membrane shells, 2) a range of proven figure control techniques, 3) SRS’s low CTE optical grade membrane polyimide materials and coatings (1.5 nm rms surface roughness, ë/20 thickness variation over 10 cm+ samples), and 4) Foster-Miller’s extremely lightweight CHIM isogrid boundary support structure technology. This combination yields extremely low areal density primary and secondary mirror surfaces and the required boundary support, leading to significant reduction of downstream system performance requirements and hence cost for space and eventually terrestrial reflective optical systems of interest to the AF and DoD. In the PI we propose to demonstrate the combination of the four areas, continue to refine membrane reflector production global figure authority and quantify readiness for flight and performance trends. This prepares the way for a PII focused on accelerated hardware based scaling demonstration and the subsequent PII/PIII transition opportunities.