Phasing of the Habitable Worlds Observatory Mirror

Organization
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Reference Code
0288-NPP-JUL24-JPL-TechDev
How to Apply

All applications must be submitted in Zintellect

Application Deadline
7/1/2024 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone
Description

Description:

Habitable World Observatory will be NASA’s flagship mission that will be designed specifically to identify potentially habitable exoplanets, closely examining their atmospheres to determine if life could possibly exist. There are several different architectures under study, but all of them are segmented telescopes, where the primary mirror is composed of many different mirrors. This is similar to the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), but the segments need to be phased to enable to a coronagraphic instrument to image habitable exoplanets in the visible. This will involve the use of novel technologies such as edge sensors and laser metrology, and a cascading series of algorithms that takes the telescope from an unaligned state through several intermediate states to the final phased state.

We welcome applicants that are interested in determining how to phase the HWO telescope. Possible areas of study are how to incorporate edge sensors & metrology systems into phasing schemes, determining the optimal method of aligning and phasing the telescope, phasing algorithms, the impact of thermal deformations on coronagraph contrast, or other aspects of segmented space telescopes. Applicants are encouraged to collaborate with others at JPL and other institutions.

Field of Science:

• Technology Development

Advisors:

Lewis Roberts
[email protected]
(818) 354-2503
 
Qualifications

A Ph.D. in a relevant degree such as astronomy, optical sciences, etc. Applicants should have experience in phasing segmented telescopes either via modeling or in practice, or experience in similar phasing algorithm development, or some other aspect of segmented telescopes either in space or on the ground.

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: Doctoral Degree.

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