Advanced Observatory Technologies: Mirrors, Structures, Systems, Fabrication and Metrology

This subtopic solicits solutions/advances for technologies that enable or enhance enable NASA's Advanced Observatory capability. Advanced Observatories are required to accomplish NASA's high-priority science at all levels (Flagship, Probe, Medium-Class Explorers (MIDEX), Small Explorers (SMEX), CubeSat, rocket, Pioneer and balloon) and for all wavelength regions from x-ray to ultra-violet/visible to mid- and far-infrared, even to sub-mm. Gaps needed to enable Advanced Observatories are identified and prioritized in the "2024 Astrophysics Biennial Technology Report", "Current Technology Gap Priorities", and the "2022 Exoplanet Exploration Program Technology Gap List". Technologies, applied either singularly or in combination, that close the identified gaps to enable advanced observatory capability include but are not limited to: Mirror Substrate Materials: homogeneous properties that enable technical specifications. Mirror Substrate Design: Stiffness, Mass, Mechanical and Thermal Stability Support Structure: Deployment, Adjustability, Mechanical and Thermal Stability Optical Fabrication and Test to required surface specifications Wavefront Sensing and Control Observatory mirror systems are defined as the substrate (material and core structure), supporting structure with associated mechanisms, and active wavefront or thermal sense and control systems. The most important metrics after performance (collecting area, diffraction limit, angular resolution, and wavefront stability) are affordability, or areal cost (cost per square meter of collecting aperture), and mass. The ability to predict in-use' performance via validated, integrated structural thermal opto-mechanical performance (STOP) modeling is also important. Proposals as sought that can help bridge technological gaps that limit the capability and feasibility of these next-generation science platforms. Successful proposals must show traceability to an identified technology gap and subtopic critical gap, show clear advancement over state of the art, and present a feasible plan to develop the proposed technology for infusion into a potential NASA Mission or into a commercial product or process. Note that detector technologies should be proposed to INSTALG.2.S26A or COSMO.1.S26A based on wavelength. And optical technologies that enable instruments should be proposed to COSMO.4.S26B.