Wednesday June 5, 2024
In-Person Reception 6:00 pm; Dinner 6:45 pm
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Online Login: 7:15 pm PDT
OSSC Business: 7:15 pm
Presentation: 8:00 pm
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Abstract In the realm of scientific exploration, cutting-edge advancements in opto-mechanical ground and space camera systems are reshaping our understanding of the cosmos. I will present SALTUS (Single Aperture Large Telescope for Universe Studies), a visionary mid/far-infrared telescope concept featuring an inflatable membrane mirror – approximately 14 meters in scale. Through ingenious design, this deployable space telescope leverages an all-encompassing optical architecture that taps into the uncharted potential of an immensely vast aperture. Behind the scenes, a collaborative symphony is at play, bringing together the finest minds from the University of Arizona, L’Garde, and Northrop Grumman. This remarkable team has not only conceived the SALTUS project but has also taken it from the drawing board to reality. A series of prototypes for the inflatable mirror have been born, nurtured, and subjected to systematic tests. Enter the realm of high dynamic range, non-null Thermo-Vacuum (TVAC) tests, complete with deflectometry. Under these simulated space conditions, the optical performance of the inflatable mirror has been verified and validated. Through this cutting-edge technology, the foundation for a replicable primary aperture takes shape. These collaborative endeavors mark a quantum leap for scalable extreme optics technologies.
About our Speaker: Daewook Kim is an associate professor of Optical Sciences and Astronomy at the University of Arizona. He has devoted his efforts to a multitude of space and ground-based large optical engineering projects. His primary research focuses on precision freeform optics design, fabrication, and various metrology topics, including interferometry and dynamic deflectometry. His contributions cover a broad spectrum of wavelengths, ranging from radio to x-ray. Kim has played various roles in numerous astronomical optical engineering projects: designing and assembling the NASA Aspera UV space telescope, conducting the fabrication and testing of 25-meter diameter Giant Magellan Telescope primary mirror segments, designing South Pole Telescope’s SLIM wide-field-of-view radio signal detection instrument, and spearheading the [development of technology for thermoforming antenna panels for next generation of very large array radio telescopes. Gave a decade of short courses related to optics and more than 20 plenary, keynote, and colloquium talks at various international conference and universities. His leadership roles include chairing the Optical Fabrication and Testing Conf (OPTICA), the Optical Manufacturing and Testing conference (SPIE), and the Astronomical Optics: Design, Manufacture, and Test of Space and Ground Systems conference (SPIE). Kim's academic contributions include authoring over 300 journal/conference papers, and serving as an associate editor for Optics Express. He is an SPIE Fellow and was elected to the SPIE Board of Directors for the term spanning 2024 to 2026. He is also an OPTICA Senior member.