Design and development of large SiC mirror for spaceborne application

Design and development of large SiC mirror has been conducted. By using the finite element analysis program NX NASTRAN we calculated the opto-mechanical performance of mirror and its support system under various design loads including gravity, temperature and dynamic loads. The optical performance has been analyzed by using Zernike polynomials based on corrected RMS surface error. We also optimized a bi-pod type flexure bonded at the backside of the mirror with proper strength under environment of space-borne application. The prototype SiC mirror has been generated with proper opto-mechanical strength and good optical performance. Detailed development process of manufacturing of the mirror with grinding, polishing, bonding and environment test will be discussed herein.