Boston Micromachines wins NASA contract to develop deformable mirrors for space imaging
Boston Micromachines (Cambridge, MA) announced that it has been awarded a contract through NASA’s Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) to develop deformable mirror technology for next generation space-based telescopes. The 2-year, $750,000 Phase II contract was awarded after completion of a Phase I project where proof of concept experimentation led to advanced production methods of MEMS deformable mirrors.
The goal of the project is to develop new production methods that enhance the actuator yield, performance, and reliability of deformable mirrors, to meet the demanding requirement of space applications. The project deliverable is a 100% functioning high reliability 2040 actuator deformable mirror. This mirror matches needs for current space telescope concepts and serves as a stepping stone towards the eventual production of a 10,000 actuator deformable mirror for applications in space-based and ground-based telescopes. Manufacturing process advancements from this SBIR project will also result in improved device performance across the BMC portfolio.
“The success of this program will help bring a solution for exoplanet imaging with deformable mirrors, and our MEMS technology will also help reduce the cost of future exoplanet missions due to their low size, weight, and power,” said Paul Bierden, president of Boston Micromachines.
Source: Boston Micromachines