Mirror Technology Development for the International X-ray Observatory Mission

Abstract

The International X-ray Observatory (IXO) mission requires a large mirror assembly with an angular resolution of 5 arcseconds half-power diameter and an effective area of 3 square meters. We are developing a glass slumping technique that is coming close to meeting these requirements. In the last few years significant and steady progress has been made in mirror segment fabrication, metrology, and alignment and integration. In this paper, we will present a status update on the various components of the technology, including mirror fabrication, glass screening and strengthening, coating, mirror mount and metrology, alignment and integration. We will also present our plan and expectations for the next couple of years.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 06, 2010
Accession Number
ADA536310

Entities

People

  • William W. Zhang

Organizations

  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Assembly
  • Buildings And Structures
  • Diameters
  • Fabrication
  • Flight
  • High Resolution
  • Materials
  • Measurement
  • Metrology
  • Mirrors
  • Observatories
  • Optics
  • Solar Panels
  • Space Flight
  • X Ray Optics
  • X Rays

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Nanofabrication and Microfabrication.
  • Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Technology.
  • Systems Analysis and Design