"We propose to develop high contrast coronagraphic techniques for segmented telescopes, providing an integrated solution for wavefront control and starlight suppression on complex aperture geometries. Developing this technology will enable direct imaging of exoplanets from space with significant cost savings relative to monolithic mirrors. Searching for nearby habitable worlds with direct imaging is one of the top scientific priorities established by the Astro2010 Decadal Survey. Achieving this ambitious goal will require 1010 contrast on a telescope large enough to provide angular resolution and sensitivity to planets around a significant sample of nearby stars. Lightweight segmented mirror technology allows larger diameter optics to fit in any given launch vehicle as compared to monolithic mirrors, making it a compelling option for future space telescopes. But until recently, it was believed that internal coronagraphs were incapable of yielding very high contrast on segmented telescopes. Recent developments now show that there is in fact a clear path to high contrast coronagraphy on segmented apertures. The key advances are (1) the demonstration of precision wavefront shaping with amplitude control using multiple deformable mirrors, and (2) improvements in coronagraph mask design that dramatically reduce transmission of segment-gap-scattered light. We propose a plan that will mature these technologies for coronagraphy with on-axis segmented mirror telescopes to TRL 4 by mid-decade with the following elements: 1. Numerical studies for coronagraph optimization and wavefront shaping to yield high-contrast point spread function dark zones. 2. Precision segment phasing concepts and algorithms that will improve the state of the art by one order of magnitude, and will be applicable to any segmented telescope. 3. A system-level demonstration integrating segment precision phasing, wavefront control and shaping, together with advanced coronagraphy. Success

Physics of the Cosmos Program

The methodology developed under this grant is primarily an effort to develop new sub-payload technologies and an inexpensive method of testing them. The three technical goals are: (1) to improve and test the existing spring sub-payload ejection system and rocket propelled ejection system, (2) to test the performance of ampule-deployed radar chaff (rather than TMA) to track high altitude winds, and (3) to develop and test sensor and telemetry packages to monitor the attitude stability and position of deployed sub-payloads.  The proposed effort will also demonstrate very low cost, low altitude rockets as an inexpensive flight test of payloads prior to expensive sounding rocket deployments. The payloads tested on 5 to 7 low-cost rockets will be (1) foil chaff designed for radar tracking of mesospheric winds, (2) plasma instruments composed of GPS monitors, magnetometers, and accelerometers, and (3) android phones for the investigation of off-the-shell instrumentation and telemetry.  Finally, a campaign of 2 to 4 sounding rocket deployments on ‘as-available’ flights from Poker Flats will be used to test spring ejection without spin up, spring ejection with spin up for sub-payload attitude control, and rocket ejection

Planetary Science Technology Program

The Mission Reports CPEX-AW dataset contains daily objectives, flight times, and instrument performance during each NASA DC-8 aircraft flight during the Convective Processes Experiment – Aerosols & Winds (CPEX-AW) field campaign. CPEX-AW was a joint effort between the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the European Space Agency (ESA) with the primary goal of conducting a post-launch calibration and validation activities of the Atmospheric Dynamics Mission-Aeolus (ADM-AEOLUS) Earth observation wind Lidar satellite in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Data are available from August 20, 2021 through August 27, 2021 in Microsoft Word Doc format.

Astrophysics Research and Analysis Program

Innovative projects are sought in the areas of basic research, fundamental research, applied research, development and systems and other concept formulation studies. Projects combining both science and technology are encouraged.

The LEARN Project explores the creation of novel concepts and processes with the potential to create new capabilities in aeronautics research through awards to the external community including university and industry teams. The LEARN Project incorporates a competitive review process of the external teams’ proposals to develop integrated solutions for complex technical problems captured in the ARMD strategic thrusts, followed by short duration activities for feasibility assessment. Follow-on phases of the most promising ideas are also funded. LEARN also utilizes challenges and prizes to the external community.  With these processes, NASA funds also help catalyze investments from the aerospace and non-aerospace communities toward solving problems aligned with NASA interests.

The NASA Aeronautics Research Institute (NARI) has been established to achieve the LEARN Project’s goals.  NARI will complement other ARMD efforts in seeking early-stage innovative concepts applicable to a broad spectrum of aeronautical challenges in the nation’s air transportation system by sponsoring research solicitations and by hosting future competitive challenges. The Institute will coordinate these efforts and communicate the outcome of the research conducted to interested parties both internal and external to NASA. ARMD’s goal is to mature the new concepts in order to infuse them into current ARMD research programs, to enable new avenues of aeronautics research that are not currently supported by ARMD program and project funds, or to achieve practical application by the aeronautics community.

Space Life and Physical Sciences Research and Applications Program

Cutting edge customer driven research in two areas:

Aerosciences, including the completion and delivery of two new aerothermal CFD codes, a first ever validated shock layer radiation model, and an experimental validationdatabase, at flight-relevant enthalpy, for current and future generations.

EDL Materials, including the development and delivery of two new flexible TPS systems to enable HIAD missions, vastly improved ablator modeling capability, and improved polymer resins to enhance or enable future developments in woven, flexible and conformal thermal protection systems.