SBIR 95-1 SOLICITATION

PROJECT SUMMARY

Proposal Number:

08.11-0204

Project Title:

SILICON CARBIDE, LARGE APERTURE, PHASE ARRAY MIRROR TECHNOLOGY

Technical Abstract:

Large aperture, actively controllable optical mirrors have numerous space-based and ground-based applications: beam control for directed energy systems and high resolution atmospheric measurements. One application is for a phased array mirror, extendible large aperture (PAMELA) system for spatial interferometry. SSG proposes an innovative SiC, large aperture, phased array mirror technology with three enabling technologies: (1) ultra-lightweight and thermally stable SiC for mirrors; (2) continuous fiber reinforced composite (CRFC) SiC for telescope structural assembly; and (3) high-precision, optical fringe counting encoders as the mirror read-out mechanism. The proposed concept offers several advantages, including significantly decreased launch costs and power requirements; superior thermal stability which reduces optical effects from earth albedo and emissions; and low material and fabrication costs. Three milestones required are (1) cryogenic stability of an inexpensive pressure cast SiC; (2) dimensional verification of CFRC SiC structures; and (3) operation at temperature of an optical fringe counting encoder. SSG has shown preliminary feasibility in each of these areas. The objective of the proposed effort is to integrate these technologies in a demo of a large aperture, controlled system. The Phase I effort will trade-off material options; define producibility and cost; develop a conceptual design of the concept; and demonstrate the cryogenic stability of a pressure cast SiC mirror substrate and CFRC structure.

Potential Commercial Applications:

The proposed ultra-lightweight segmented mirror assembly has many NASA and DoD applications, including atmospheric turbulence correction and high resolution astronomy. The key technologies, microchip optical fringe counting encoder, ultra-lightweight CFRC SiC and pressure cast SiC have numerous commercial applications. The microchip encoder has applications in computer hard drives. CFRC SiC has applications in ultra-lightweight aircraft and spacecraft structures. Pressure cast SiC offers applications in high-temperature engine components, fuel nozzles and the optics industry.

Name and Address of Offeror:

SSG, Inc.
150 Bear Hill Road
Waltham, MA 02154