Re: ATM Lightweight Composite Mirrors

[CHEN@stars.gsfc.nasa.gov]

Hi Emil:
        Our lightweight mirrors are made using graphite fiber reinforced
cyanate ester material, a kind of advanced graphite epoxy stuff.  My
understanding of the Opticast mirrors is that they are made by replicating
with epoxy (no fiber), and therefore require some form of substrate such
as glass or cement to hold the figure.   There are tradeoffs between
the two techniques.   The advantage of fiber reinforced composites is
that mirrors are much lighter, less prone to moisture absorption, and
easier to implement active or even adaptive optics.

Cheers,

P.C. Chen