Active mirror technology for large space telescopes

James H. Burge; Brian Cuerden; James Roger P. Angel

doi:10.1117/12.393999

28 July 2000 Active mirror technology for large space telescopes

James H. Burge, Brian Cuerden, James Roger P. Angel

Proceedings Volume 4013, UV, Optical, and IR Space Telescopes and Instruments; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.393999
Event: Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation, 2000, Munich, Germany

Abstract

Future space telescopes rely on advances in technology to enable fabrication of primary mirrors with orders of magnitude more area, yet similar mass as current mirrors. This requires a shift of paradigm from the concept of the mirror as a rigid, stable unit, to the idea of the mirror as a system that uses active control to maintain the figure of a flexible surface. We discuss issues for this new class of optics and present status on a 2-m prototype mirror for NGST.

Citation Download Citation

James H. Burge, Brian Cuerden, and James Roger P. Angel "Active mirror technology for large space telescopes", Proc. SPIE 4013, UV, Optical, and IR Space Telescopes and Instruments, (28 July 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.393999

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