Nautilus Space Observatory: a very large aperture space telescope constellation enabled by scalable optical manufacturing technologies

Dániel Apai, Tom D. Milster, Daewook Kim, Youngsik Kim, Glenn Schneider, Benjamin V. Rackham, Jonathan Arenberg, Heejoo Choi, Marcos A. Esparza, Zichan Wang, Yingying Zhang, Alex Bixel

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

We describe progress on the Nautilus Space Observatory concept that is enabled by novel, very large (8.5m-diameter), ultralight-weight, multi-order diffractive lenses that can be cost-effectively replicated. The scientific goal of Nautilus is the rigorous statistical exploration of one thousand potentially life-bearing planets and the assessment of the diversity of exo-earths. Here we review the science requirements and key design features of Nautilus. The new optical technology (MODE lenses) at the heart of the Nautilus telescopes also poses exciting new optical fabrication and metrology challenges. We will summarize these challenges and provide an overview of emerging solutions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationOptical Manufacturing and Testing XIV
EditorsDaewook Kim, Heejoo Choi, Heidi Ottevaere, Rolf Rascher
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Electronic)9781510654266
DOIs
StatePublished - 2022
EventOptical Manufacturing and Testing XIV 2022 - San Diego, United States
Duration: Aug 22 2022Aug 24 2022

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume12221
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Conference

ConferenceOptical Manufacturing and Testing XIV 2022
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Diego
Period8/22/228/24/22

Keywords

  • Diffractive optics
  • MODE lens
  • astrobiology
  • extrasolar planet
  • space telescope
  • ultralight optics

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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