OCULUS – Optical Coatings for Ultra Lightweight Robust Spacecraft Structures

Low weight as well as high durability and accuracy for mirrors of space telescopes? New material solutions have great potential to make it happen! The objective is to combine innovative production processes of carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) structures and reflective coatings. By this means, lightweight optical mirrors can be developed for aerospace applications (e.g. remote sensing and astronomy) that exhibit versatile advantages over conventional mirrors:

• Thermal stability (no cooling necessary)
• 80% to 90% weight reduction
• Modularisation in production (large quantities using one tool)
• Smart coatings enable multifunctional surfaces
• Process transferable to mechanical engineering industry