Inconsistent radius of curvature of replicated, composite reflector panels limit application of composites to large, segmented telescope apertures. This project proposes to characterize, compensate for, and optimize the behavior of affordable, graphite composite reflector sandwich panels suitable for large aperture, sub-millimeter space and earth science instruments. Advances in understanding and optimizing sandwich panel behavior may enable science missions to obtain new levels of technical performance. Future NASA missions including the Cornell Caltech Atacama Telescope (CCAT) and Global Atmospheric Composition Mission (GACM), require 1 to 4 meter aperture, submillimeter-wavelength, primary reflector (mirror) segments.
