Short Communication

Kinematically engaged yoke system for segmented lens-based space telescope integration and testing

¹ James C. Wyant College of Optical Sciences, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
² Department of Astronomy and Steward Observatory, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
³ Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
⁴ Y&DK, 34158 Daejeon, South Korea
⁵ Hanbat National University, 34158 Daejeon, South Korea
⁶ Department of Integrated Systems Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA

^* Corresponding author: dkim@optics.arizona.edu

Received: 15 February 2023
Accepted: 15 March 2023

Abstract

One of the most profound and philosophically captivating foci of modern astronomy is the study of Earth-like exoplanets in the search for life in the Universe. The paradigm-shifting investigation described here calls for a new type of scalable space telescope that redefines the available light-collecting area in space. The Nautilus Space Observatory, enabled by multiple-order diffractive optics (the MODE lens), is ushering in the advent of large space telescope lenses designed to search for biosignatures on a thousand exo-earths. The Kinematically Engaged Yoke System (KEYS) was developed to align a segmented version of the MODE lens. A technology demonstration prototype of KEYS was built and tested using scanning white light interferometry and deflectometry. A deflectometry system was also developed to monitor the closed-loop alignment of the segmented MODE lens during its UV (i.e., Ultraviolet) curing.