Thermal-Vacuum Chamber for Testing Break-through Space Technologies
Abstract
With support from the Office of Naval Research and National Reconnaissance Office, the University of Arizona is leading the way in the development of paradigm changing inflatable apertures for space-based applications. Theseapertures can serve as antennas for telecom or as telescopes for remote sensing. In partnership with the DoD inflatable apertures ranging from 1 to 25 meters are now under development with operational capabilities frommicrowave to optical wavelengths. The apertures are formed from a balloon made from thin dielectric material that, when inflated, takes on a natural spherical shape. One hemisphere of the sphere is fully or partly metallized. Acting as a receiving antenna, electromagnetic waves pass through the transparent hemisphere of the sphere and reflect off the metallized hemisphere. The reflected waves come to a focal line approximately halfway back towards the sphere???s center. A spherical corrector, formed from quasi-optical components or a line feed, collapses the focal line to a focal point for processing. The reflector works equally well for transmitting electromagnetic radiation. For space-basedoperations the wide field of view of a spherical reflector allows the emergent beam to be redirected through wide angles without adjusting the attitude of the spacecraft, which greatly simplifies acquisition of targets (e.g. ground locations or other satellites) compared to what is required for standard parabolic reflectors. Such a spherical balloon reflector is very low mass, stows in a small volume for launch, and can inflate to diameters of 1 or more meters. Our team will be conducting tests of a 1 meter inflatable telecom antenna for CubeSats at an altitude of ~170,000 ft from a NASA high altitude balloon later this year. We are also developing a 2 meter prototype inflatable optical reflector for the NRO. The next step in the development of the inflatable apertures will be to test their operation under space-like conditions. For this we require a large thermal-vacuum (T-V) chamber. Such a T-V chamber is, to our knowledge, not available at any US public university. The University has a long history of designing, building, and operating spacecraft/instruments for remote sensing and deep space. Much of this work has been performed by students under the direction of our faculty. With the availability of a large T-V chamber our research and educational programs in astronomy, planetary science, optical sciences, physics, and engineering can grow in new directions that will lead to as yet unforeseen advances in space science/utilization and help train the next generation of innovators. In recognition of its importance, the University is prepared to match the DoD???s investment in the acquisition of the proposed T-V chamber and operate it as a University facility.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 26, 2018
- Source ID
- N000141812551
Entities
People
- Christopher Walker
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Arizona