TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Method for Fabricating a Lightweight Space Telescope

Opportunity: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), operated by the Lawrence Livermore National Security (LLNS), LLC under contract no. DE-AC52-07NA27344 (Contract 44) with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), is offering the opportunity to enter into a collaboration to further develop and commercialize its Method for Fabricating a Lightweight Space Telescope.

Background: Monolithic telescopes fabricate a reflective telescope into a single silica substrate. This approach provides exceptional mechanical stability because the relative position of the mirrors is permanently polished into a monolithic substrate and is inherently temperature insensitive due to the low CTE of fused silica (0.5 ppm/K). Once fabricated, monolithic telescopes can be taken for granted because the mirrors will always be aligned, even after subject to extreme force like during launch into space. There is a need to scale such telescope designs to larger apertures but not to incur the weight penalty of the conventional design.

Description: Aeroptics are a proposed new class of monolithic optical system in aerogel fabricated by molding around a master mandrel. This approach combines the intrinsic stability of proven monolithic telescopes, with the ultralow density of silica aerogels. In Aeroptics, the monolith is hollow with an aerogel substrate providing a supporting structure. Theoretically, Aeroptics could enable 1-m aperture space-based telescopes with a mass of just 15kg, and mass that scales with aperture diameter cubed.

Advantages/Benefits: All the stability advantages of a monolithic optic without the weight or optical absorption. Reduces weight at a 1m scale by 2 – 3 orders of magnitude. Compatible with space deployments and operations. Can be used in any application requiring fixed reflective optical elements.

Potential Applications: Space situational awareness and navigation Remote Sensing Development Status: Current stage of technology development: TRL 2-3 LLNL has filed for patent protection on this invention. U.S. Patent Application No. 2023/0204936 Monolithic Optical Systems published 6/29/2023 LLNL is seeking industry partners with a demonstrated ability to bring such inventions to the market.

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Note: THIS IS NOT A PROCUREMENT. Companies interested in commercializing LLNL's Method for Fabricating a Lightweight Space Telescope should provide an electronic OR written statement of interest, which includes the following:

Company Name and address. The name, address, and telephone number of a point of contact. A description of corporate expertise and/or facilities relevant to commercializing this technology. Please provide a complete electronic OR written statement to ensure consideration of your interest in LLNL's Method for Fabricating a Lightweight Space Telescope. The subject heading in an email response should include the Notice ID and/or the title of LLNL’s Technology/Business Opportunity and directed to the Primary and Secondary Point of Contacts listed below. Written responses should be directed to:

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Innovation and Partnerships Office P.O.

Box 808, L-779 Livermore, CA 94551-0808 Attention: IL-13665