Development of an integrated model of a high order, active segmented mirror for space telescopes

The scientific cases of interest for next-generation space telescopes result in challenging requirements for resolution, contrast and wavefront stability, which must be matched with an effective mission risk and cost mitigation. The integration of a deformable primary mirror with contactless actuators can address these needs by enabling active wavefront control, vibration rejection and weight reduction through the use of lighter materials. The present work aims to provide a parametric integrated model to simulate the effects of the orbital environment on a space telescope equipped with an active segmented primary mirror. The simulator will compute thermal deformations on the support, disturbance propagation to the optics and the wavefront correction to deliver at the focal plane. Through a trade-off study of orbital and system parameters, the goal of the tool is to investigate the attractiveness of the contactless deformable mirror technology in terms of mission cost and performance.