In the frame of active optics correction concepts, this activity presents the following objectives:

• To consolidate the requirements for a piezo-based deformable mirror in an active optics correction chain

• To identify and compare different piezoelectric materials suitable for the deformable mirror concept, and characterize their behavior.

• To optimize and finalize the structural mirror design, following the mechanical activities and redesign recommendations of GSTP activity "Adaptive deformable mirror for space instruments"

• To manufacture, assemble, and integrate a structural model

• To test and verify the structural model

 

 

The increasing need for higher resolution of space optical imaging has prompted the study of novel technologies that can improve the imaging performance beyond what is currently achievable by classical optical systems. Active/adaptive optics is a very promising example of such technologies, allowing to correct for in-flight effects (such as thermo-elastic deformations, radiation effects on optical materials, gravity release, microvibrations, etc.) which impact the optical quality of space instruments. Its use can also decrease the stringent requirements on the manufacturing quality for optical components (by compensating residual surface figuring errors in space), lower opto-mechanical design complexity (by relaxing requirements on structure stability) and reduce the outage period of missions caused e.g. by Sun baffle intrusions or eclipses altering the thermal conditions within the instrument.

 

As such, active/adaptive optics constitutes a potential key building block for the improvement of high-resolution imaging capabilities of future missions e.g. in geostationary orbit, particularly in the case of optical systems involving large mirrors. At the heart of an active optics correction chain, the deformable component is directly impacting the level of in-flight optical correction achievable. In order to push the maturity of this deformable mirror solution to the next maturity level, the 5 enabling activities listed in the objective section of this document have been identified.