Alignment and integration of thin, lightweight x-ray optics into modules

Abstract

Future X-ray telescopes with high angular resolution and high throughput optics will help enable new high energy observations. X-ray optics in development at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center by the Next Generation X-ray Optics (NGXO) group utilizes a Flight Mirror Assembly (FMA) comprised of dozens of mirror modules populated with mirror segments aligned to a common focus. Mirror segments are currently aligned and permanently fixed into a module one at a time with emphasis on preventing degradation of the overall module performance. To meet cost and schedule requirements, parallelization and automation of the module integration process must be implemented. Identification of critical mirror segment alignment factors in addition to the progress towards a robust and automated module integration process is presented. There is a fundamental need for a reliable mirror segment alignment and bonding process that will be performed on hundreds or thousands of mirror segments. Results from module X-ray performance verification tests are presented to confirm module performance meets requirements.