Reflective Optics for Space Applications
Reflective optical components developed for space applications where optical performance, thermal stability, and structural integrity are critical under launch and on-orbit conditions.
Reflective Optics
Precision mirror
Lightweighted mirror
SiC mirror
Precision Mirrors
flat / spherical mirror
aspheric reflective surface
Factory Standard of Spherical Mirrors
(typical, defined per application)
|
Parameter |
Standard Range |
|---|---|
|
Diameter Tolerance |
Defined per application |
|
Clear Aperture |
Typically ≥ 90% of diameter |
|
Surface Quality |
ISO 10110 (typ. 40–20) |
|
Surface Figure |
Defined per wavelength and aperture |
|
Radius of Curvature |
Tolerance defined per design |
|
Thickness |
Defined per structural requirements |
|
Edge Treatment |
Bevel, typical |
Specification definitions and acceptance criteria are defined per application.
Materials
Zerodur®, Silicon Carbide (SiC), Fused Silica
* Material selection is defined based on thermal stability, structural requirements, and mission environment.
Manufacturing Capability
- Ultra-precision mirror polishing
- Surface figure and roughness control
- Coating compatibility for space environment
Space Qualification Considerations
- Thermal stability and CTE management
- Launch load compatibility
- Documentation and traceability available
Off-Axis Parabolic (OAP) Mirrors
off-axis geometry)
Standard Specifications
(to be defined per application)
|
Parameter |
Standard Range |
|---|---|
|
Diameter |
defined per application (typ. up to several hundred millimeters) |
|
Diameter tolerance |
defined per application |
|
Clear aperture |
typically ≥ 95% |
|
Surface quality |
ISO 10110 (typ. 60–40) |
|
Surface figure |
defined per wavelength and aperture |
|
Focal length tolerance |
defined per optical design |
|
Off-axis geometry |
defined per parent parabola and extraction |
Material Selection
Aluminum, Zerodur®, Silicon Carbide (SiC)
Reflective Coatings (space-qualified)
- Protected Aluminum
- Enhanced Aluminum (UV / VIS optimized)
- Protected Silver
- Protected Gold
*Coating selection is defined per spectral band, environmental conditions, and contamination control requirements.
Manufacturing Capability
- Parent parabola generation and off-axis extraction
- Figure error control for off-axis geometries
- Metrology adapted to non-symmetric surfaces
Space Qualification Considerations
- Alignment stability under thermal cycling
- Surface stability under launch environment
- Configuration control maintained
Silicon Carbide (SiC) Mirrors
SiC mirror Front
lightweighted SiC structure
Standard Specifications
(to be defined per application)
|
Parameter |
Standard Range |
|---|---|
|
Size |
Defined per application (including large-format SiC mirrors) |
|
Surface geometry |
Flat (typical), Spherical or Aspheric |
|
Surface figure |
defined per aperture and application |
|
Reflective coatings |
selected per spectral and environmental requirements |
Note: SiC mirrors are selected where high stiffness-to-mass ratio and thermal stability are critical to system performance.
Manufacturing Capability
- SiC machining and finishing
- Surface preparation for optical coating
- Dimensional stability management
Space Qualification Considerations
- High stiffness-to-mass optimization
- Thermal stability for cryogenic or variable environments
- Inspection and traceability maintained
Lightweighted Mirrors
lightweight Mirror backside
ribbed / pocketed structure
Standard Specifications
(to be defined per application)
|
Parameter |
Standard Range |
|---|---|
|
Substrate material |
Zerodur® (typical), SiC (case-dependent) |
|
Lightweighting |
pocketed / ribbed structures (design-dependent) |
|
Mass reduction |
defined per stiffness and launch-load requirements |
|
Clear aperture |
defined per optical design |
|
Reflective coatings |
selected per spectral and environmental requirements |
Manufacturing Capability
- Structural lightweighting strategies
- Mass-to-stiffness optimization
- Deformation control under launch loads
Space Qualification Considerations
- Vibration and shock compatibility
- Structural integrity verification
- Configuration documentation available
MEMS Mirrors
Standard Specifications
(to be defined per application)
|
Parameter |
Standard Range |
|---|---|
|
Mirror aperture |
mm-class, geometry-defined |
|
Surface coating |
selected per spectral requirements |
|
Actuation and control |
defined per reliability and environmental constraints |
|
Environmental compatibility |
vacuum-compatible, hermetically sealed options |
|
Interface definition |
defined per system architecture |
Manufacturing Capability
- Microfabrication and assembly readiness
- Interface definition for actuation and control
- Optical surface quality verification
Space Qualification Considerations
- Radiation and thermal environment considerations
- Mechanical robustness under launch conditions
- Documentation and traceability available
Reflective optics are defined in response to mission-specific optical and environmental constraints.