This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I Project will address the feasibility of designing and fabricating a one piece carbon fiber composite membrane reflecting surface for an 8-meter aperture millimeter wave radio telescope. Methods of fabricating a suitably precise tooling mandrel will be explored, along with the selection of materials and fabrication processes for a single piece membrane. In addition, metallization alternatives will be identified along with the means for protecting the reflective surface from the environment. Alternative protective coating samples will be submitted to National Radio Astronomy Observatory for testing and evaluation. The Phase I Final Report will include a membrane concept design, a tooling mandrel concept preliminary manufacturing plan and cost estimate for the candidate reflecting surface. The potential commercial applications of this research include radio telescope applications in the millimeter wave portion of the spectrum where low mass, high precision, thermal stability environmental endurance and low cost are important. Ka-Band communications satellite systems ground segments are also candidates for this technology. The current plans of the FCC to find commercial uses for the millimeter wave portions of the spectrum makes it likely that the technology will find additional commercial application.
