The approach is to use foundational materials science, structural design, thermal analysis, optic fabrication, and space systems engineering, and to use optimize them through large-scale simulation to realize meter-scale telescopes at 10X cost reduction.  LLNL’s folded Gregorian design integrates all alignment sensitive components into one static monolithic system.  Like solid-…

LLNL researchers have developed an approach to form silicon carbide (and diamond) nanoneedles using plasma etching that create micro pillars followed by chemical etching of the pillars in forming gas containing hydrogen and nitrogen. Combining these two etching processes allow for fabrication of micro- and nanoneedles that are thinner and sharper than conventionally fabricated needles.