Applications of MEMS in Segmented Mirror Space Telescopes

摘要

Development of space telescopes, such as the Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Telescope has been very challenging in terms of cost, schedule, and performance. For several future space missions, larger aperture and lightweight deployable mirrors, in the range of 10-20 meters in diameter with high surface accuracy, are required. In order to achieve lightweight, reduce cost for development and provide performance robustness, actuated hybrid mirror (AHM) technology is under development. The Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) recently received a 3-meter diameter space telescope testbed with six segments that uses an AHM technology. This paper will discuss the work performed at NPS on the surface control of the primary mirror using adaptive optics. This paper will also discuss how we can use a MEMS deformable mirror to improve the performance of the NPS segmented mirror telescope. The high-stroke, high-order actuated MEMS deformable mirror will correct the residual alignment and surface errors that are not corrected by the actuators on the mirrors. The mirror will use electrostatic actuation to eliminate the need for power to hold its position and will be capable of open-loop, go-to positioning.