Abstract
The ability to create lightweight mirrors that can maintain surface accuracy is a major technical challenge for future space telescopes. Processing-induced errors and surface errors due to temperature excursions and gravity sag (zero gravity in space) make it impossible to correct the surface of thin mirror face-sheets by conventional point actuators. The challenges are compounded by the requirements for mirrors to have adequate stiffness for pointing accuracy. An experimental and analytical study was conducted to explore the feasibility of correcting the shape of lightweight (≈1 kg/m2) mirrors using a “Nitinol” (nickel-titanium) shape memory alloy (SMA). Shape memory alloys are increasingly used as smart devices in aerospace applications. Their primary advantage over other smart materials (i.e., piezo-ceramics and piezo-polymers) is in their ability to undergo large strains and displacements and thus enable the development of smart mechanisms. Active shape correction is the only means of mitigating heat ...
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