A Segmented Deployable Primary Mirror for Earth Observation from a CubeSat Platform

The aperture size is the primary limitation on the resolving power of an optical system, so deployable optical systems provide a means of improving the spatial sampling that can be provided within a fixed launch volume. The UK ATC has been developing a CubeSat sized deployable optical system that can co-phase its primary aperture based on image metrics derived from the science scene. Discussed are the telescope optical design and tolerances, the mechanical design of the primary optic, together with the deployment and actuation systems, and the image metrics that are used to co-phase the system. A breadboard optical system has been designed, manufactured and tested and the results are presented and used to derive operational feasibility and next steps towards a in orbit demonstrator