SBIR-STTR Award

The Phase I objective is to develop a preliminary design and manufacturing plan for carbon fiber composite reflectors and/or a carbon fiber telescope that are traceable to the requirements of current and future CMB missions. The Phase II objectives are to complete the design and manufacturing planning, fabricate necessary tooling, manufacture hardware components that include two reflector support structures, integrate and align the reflectors and confirm telescope optical performance via analysis of as-built mechanical alignment and surface accuracy data. To prepare for and conduct the PDR within six months, the proposed Phase I tasks will include: 1) Develop telescope requirements in conjunction with CMB researchers and/or NASA with the goal of resolving sufficient detail to evaluate CFRP technology for CMB missions, 2) Compare the requirements to CFRP heritage, as-built results, and experience, 3) Develop a concept based upon high (currently 4-9) TRL CFRP component technologies, 4) Predict the performance of the concept, 5) Develop a pricing model to predict recurring cost, 6) Define a preliminary manufacturing plan that includes predicted versus budgeted errors, 7) Develop a summary technical/cost compliance matrix that summarizes all technical and cost predictions versus requirements, 8) Summarize all engineering, manufacturing, and cost information in preparation for PDR including the envisioned path to telescope TRL6 during Phase II, and 9) Conduct a PDR with support from mechanical, optical, structural, thermal, materials, and manufacturing engineers.

Potential NASA Commercial Applications:
(Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words) The capabilities proposed are relevant to Space and Earth science missions with immediate technology insertion for CMB. Potential applications include balloon, space, and ground-based astronomy and remote sensing missions, e.g. High Altitude Scientific Balloon Flight Program, SMLS, and CCAT. Reflectors (mirror facets) for large concentrators are required to develop terrestrial solar devices for sustainable energy and lunar oxygen generation devices. Mission study groups at JPL, Cornell, GSFC, University of Pennsylvania, and LaRC (LIDAR) are likely customers.

Potential NON-NASA Commercial Applications:
(Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words) Renewable energy interests have indicated a desire to field an ever-growing number of large solar concentrators. The maturing of system competencies could benefit DOE and DoD. Large, accurate, thermally stable telescopes are needed for broadband spacecraft. The need to provide Internet service in remote locations has service providers and spacecraft manufacturers considering constellations of spacecraft. Lightweight, large-aperture, thermally stable telescopes with micron level tolerances will be needed to increase traffic capacity per spacecraft.

Technology Taxonomy Mapping:
(NASA's technology taxonomy has been developed by the SBIR-STTR program to disseminate awareness of proposed and awarded R/R&D in the agency. It is a listing of over 100 technologies, sorted into broad categories, of interest to NASA.) Antennas Composites Infrared Microwave Mirrors Radio Spacecraft Design, Construction, Testing, & Performance (see also Engineering; Testing & Evaluation) Structures Terahertz (Sub-millimeter)

Existing and proposed missions with ambitious science goals demand ever larger primary mirrors which, in turn, require the development of new light-weight, low-cost mirror technologies. For Phase 2, Vanguard Space Technologies (VST) proposes to deliver a 2.5 meter, composite, on-axis, telescope by building upon the success of the Phase I effort. The telescope will be suitable for use on the Super BLAST-pol mission. VST proposes building upon the success and leveraging the lessons learned from previous technology demonstration programs, leading to a successful CDR that includes a final design with budgeted errors, a detailed manufacturing plan, and a mature recurring cost model and estimate. A CDR package and one high efficiency telescope system will be provided during Phase II. The envisioned telescope system will feature 2X lower areal mass and comparable areal cost for Unit Two+ than BLAST. The Super BLAST-pol team at UPenn is committed to flight test this new technology on the maiden flight in 2016.

Potential NASA Commercial Applications:
(Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words) Vanguard met with Alan Kogut at GSFC on 11/7/13. The technology may also be of interest to a future NASA GSFC program currently referred to as BOBCAT. BOBCAT is still in the concept/design phase and open to change. The telescope functions mainly as a "light bucket" for the spectrometer, and will not feed a large pixelized focal plane. The current design envisions an on-axis system (similar to BLAST). Tentative requirements include a 3-4 meter primary; operating frequency: initially 300-700 GHz, eventually 300 GHz to several THz (submil-far infrared); operating temperature: 40K or below; system overall mass – 5 metric tons (includes dewar); mid-latitude environment (not Antartica); and launched in desert environment.



Potential NON-NASA Commercial Applications:
:
(Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words) Northrup Grumman – Baltimore, an aerospace prime contractor, was contacted on November 5, 2013, and briefly informed of our activities. NG expressed interest in the technology and Phase 1 results. Vanguard will meet with NG personnel within 1-2 months. Our target application is tactical missions for DoD, possibly surveillance and/or communications related.

Technology Taxonomy Mapping:
(NASA's technology taxonomy has been developed by the SBIR-STTR program to disseminate awareness of proposed and awarded R/R&D in the agency. It is a listing of over 100 technologies, sorted into broad categories, of interest to NASA.) Antennas Coatings/Surface Treatments Composites Infrared Mirrors Structures Terahertz (Sub-millimeter)