Proposal Number:          21-1- S2.03-3037

          

          

   

Subtopic Title:
      Advanced Optical Systems and Fabrication/Testing/Control Technologies for Extended-Ultraviolet/Optical and Infrared Telescope

          

          

   

Proposal Title:
      Affordable, Maneuvering Cubesat Telescope

          

          

   

Firm:

          

Quadrus Advanced Manufacturing, LLC

          

   

Address:

          

289 Dunlop Boulevard, Building 300, Huntsville, AL 35824

          

   

Phone:

          

(256) 679-9189                                                                                                                                                                                

          

   

Name:

          

Melissa Forton

          

   

E-mail:

          

mforton@quadruscorp.com

          

   

Address:

          

289 Dunlop Blvd., Bldg. 300, AL 35824 - 1122

          

   

Phone:

          

(256) 801-3126                                                                                                                                                                                

          

   

Name:

          

Joseph Sims

          

   

E-mail:

          

jsims@QuadrusCorp.com

          

   

Address:

          

289 Dunlop Blvd., Bldg. 300, AL 35824 - 1122

          

   

Phone:

          

(256) 801-3128                                                                                                                                                                                

          

   

Estimated Technology Readiness Level (TRL) :                                                                                                                                                          
Begin: 2
End: 3

          

          

     

Technical Abstract (Limit 2000 characters, approximately 200 words):

CubeSats carrying small space telescopes will be the enabling force for the next generation of space research allowing a less expensive route for professional and amateur astronomers to conduct their research. Quadrus Advanced Manufacturing, LLC (QAM) is pleased to offer an innovative approach in the manufacturing of Cassegrain telescope that minimizes the cost and time of manufacture while enabling the customization of the telescope optics to meet a particular mission’s requirements.  Additionally, the design integrates a cold gas aerospike propulsion system into the volume around the telescope tube.  Our design uses a high strength, machinable, low CTE polyimide plastic, for the majority of the components minimizing the potential for misalignment issues cause by thermal expansion.  Our fabrication process has a high potential for drastic cost and time savings.

The Phase I efforts will address the following

• Spin Forming the Primary Parabolic Mirror out of a Low CTE Polyimide Plastic
• Designing the Cold Gas Propulsion System

Testing a Demo Version of the Cassegrain Telescope

          

          

     

Potential NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words):

Our commercialization strategy is to position ourselves as a supplier of inexpensive high quality Cassegrain telescopes for CubeSat applications that provide longer service life through an onboard cold gas propulsion system.

          

          

     

Potential Non-NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words):

The potential non-NASA commercialization opportunities are to make off-the-shelf CubeSat telescope systems that are affordable for academic researchers, graduate students, high schools students, and professional astronomers.

          

          

     

Duration:     6