Two disruptive space telescope concepts are being designed and developed at the University of Arizona; these are the 20-meter OASIS (Orbiting Astronomical Satellite for Investigating Stellar Systems) and 8.5-meter Nautilus. OASIS combines break-through inflatable aperture and adaptive optics techniques to realize the dream of a 20+ meter class spaceborne terahertz'far-infrared telescope. In the Nautilus visible/near-infrared telescope concept, conventional primary mirrors are replaced by an -8.5-meter MODE (Multi-order diffractive engineered) lens with 10 times lower areal density and up to 100 times lower mis-alignment sensitivity over traditional systems, enabling large-diameter optical space telescopes. The OASIS and Nautilus concepts have the potential to greatly reduce mission costs and risks compared to the current state of the art.
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