Laminated, Electroformed Shape Memory Composite Technology for Thin, Lightweight Space and Ground-Based Deployable Mirrors

"Composite Technology Development, Inc. and Northwestern University propose to develop the smart materials technology, manufacturing processes and engineering methods that will enable the design and fabrication of reliable, robust and economical thin,lightweight deployable composite mirrors for space-based and ground-based applications. The Phase I program will address key feasibility demonstrations of this technology. Thin, lightweight, deployable composite mirrors may provide large savings inpayload mass for a variety of Air Force, DoD, scientific and commercial applications, leading to tremendous launch cost savings. Thin, lightweight, optical-quality deployable mirrors constructed of smart materials will have wide applicability for largespace-based and ground based missions."