| abstract |
A method for fabricating an LD aerogel reflector, including large space-based mirrors is provided wherein, a) an LD silica aerogel substrate at densities between 10-500 mg/cc is prepared, b) the surface of such aerogel substrate is polished to an optical quality surface, c) a dielectric planarization layer of SiO 2 is applied to the so-polished substrate surface and d) one or more reflective layers (of e.g. Al/Y 2 O 3 coatings) are deposited on the planarization layer to form a lightweight reflector which includes an LD aerogel substrate that was not available before the invention hereof. Such LD aerogel substrates of the invention are lighter than ULE glass substrates for mirrors by a factor of up to 6 or more. Accordingly, given the payload constraints of launch vehicles, much larger reflectors made according to the invention, can be deployed in space than previously possible with heavier prior art mirror substrates. |