Key enabling technologies for the next generation of space telescopes

Abstract

The next generation of large space telescopes, including ATLAST, SAFIR, IXO and Generation-X will require the development of key technologies to enable their development at an affordable cost. This includes technologies for the rapid, low cost fabrication of ultra-light weight primary mirror segments, active figure control of primary mirror segments, high speed wavefront sensing and control, highly-packageable and scalable deployment techniques, and active vibration and thermal control for light weight structural elements to supply good pointing stability. In this paper we discuss the current state-of-the-art for these technologies and roadmaps for future development in these areas.