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| Paper: |
Status of the Ultra-Stable Large Telescope Research and Analysis – Critical Technologies (ULTRA-CT) Program |
| Monograph: |
11, HWO25 Proceedings Part II: Mission Framework, Technology, and Broader Contributions |
| Page: |
233 |
| Authors: |
Laura Coyle, Laurent Pueyo, Matthew East, Tyler McCracken, Benjamin Cromey, Jeremy Shugrue, Thomas Peters, Joseph Ho, Jake Crouse, Bruce Hardy, Dominic Maes, Dustin Putnam, Kevin Weed, Sebastian Valencia, Nicole Khoury, Randal Telfer, Nicolas Flagey, Remi Soummer, Nathanael D. Cox, Austin Bruce, Peter Miller, Brian Martens, Emily Lunde, and Daniel Porpora |
| DOI: |
10.26624/PFOQ3941 |
| Abstract: |
To achieve its ambitious science goals, the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) will require a large area, segmented primary mirror to achieve high resolution and adequate flux, as well as an internal coronagraph capable of achieving 10^-10 starlight suppression. Achieving this unprecedented level of contrast requires developing a new generation of “ultra-stable" optical systems that can achieve wavefront stability in critical modes at the picometer (pm)-level, several orders of magnitude beyond the current state-of-the-art. BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems Inc., (SMS), working with L3Harris Technologies (L3H) and Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI), was awarded a two-year contract through the NASA ROSES 2023 D.19 element to narrow or close gaps in performance for large, ultra-stable telescopes in space. This effort follows in the footsteps of previous Ultra-stable Large Telescope Research and Analysis Programs (ULTRA, ULTRA-TM) performed at SMS and with other industry and academic partners to identify technology gaps and develop key component-level technologies. The current work, deemed ULTRA-CT for Critical Technologies, addresses the identified gaps by raising the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of enabling technologies for HWO, with a focus on subsystem performance. This paper will review the current status of the ULTRA-CT program as it continues TRL maturation through (1) high-fidelity simulations to determine feasibility, predict performance, and to refine technology needs/gaps and/or (2) subscale hardware demonstrations with path-to-flight properties that start to capture component interactions. Key areas of advancement include high-fidelity coronagraph modeling and end-to-end system stability simulations; rigid body sensing and control through a multi-segment hardware demonstration; design and test of mirror substrates for thermal response; and simulation of payload-level line-of-sight stability with a "quiet spacecraft" architecture. Completion of these efforts are critical to maintain HWO's timeline for technology maturation early in the mission development process and be well positioned to perform trade studies and down selects to reach a concept maturity level (CML) of 4. |
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