Photopolymer Space Parabolic Mirrors

We propose to develop paraboloid mirrors to be made in space. The mirrors would be based on solidifying liquid precursor materials into a paraboloid shape. The paraboloid mirrors would be made in space by spinning the mirror support structure or the entire satellite simultaneously in two orthogonal axes while releasing the liquid precursor into it. Spinning around the first axis generates an artificial gravity, while spinning around the second axis generates a paraboloid surface in the liquid mirror precursor. The precursor is subsequently allowed to solidify thus preserving its paraboloid surface and forming a mirror.The currently proposed precursor material is a photopolymer which is cross-linked by exposure to an on-board UV source. Alternatively, the precursor materials can be two-part epoxies, metals (K, Na, In), their alloys and thermosetting and thermoforming polymers.The proposed system also includes a thermo coating system which would deposit a reflective coating onto a formed mirror surface in case the mirror is fabricated of a weakly reflecting precursor.Additionally, the mirror support structures are proposed to be made of shape-memory materials which would offer high packaging density for launch and which would unfold upon application of heat. Utilizing such structures avoids dedicated actuators and greatly reduces complexity, weight and packaged volume of the system.There are no fundamental limits to the size of space-made mirrors, since they are fabricated in zero- or microgravity.The mirrors can be repaired in space by re-deposition of the precursor (or re-melting in case of metals), re-spinning them and solidifying the precursor.