Dimensionally Stabel Materials for Space Interferometers

Abstract

Future NASA missions in astrophysics, Earth observation, and solar system exploration that require optical communication optical and infrared imaging, or high precision astrometric measurements impose very stringent demands for the dimensional stability issues included: the cassini Imaging Science Subsystem (ISS) and the Space Infrared Telescope (SIRTF). Longer range mission plans call for even more stringent dimensional stability. JPL has identified twenty-six proposed missions with critical dimensional stability requirements.