NASA 1996 SBIR Phase I

PROJECT TITLE : : INFLATABLE PHOTON BUCKET

TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)

Ground reception of space based optical communication transmissions presents special challenges due to weather and atmospheric attenuation. The technology requires many large telescopes to gather the available optical energy at ground level and avoid cloud cover and bad weather. Low cost optical buckets of 1 to 10 meters diameter are required. The proposed innovation is to use an inflatable reflector as the heart of the photon bucket design. This concept uses thin membranes, supported by a positively pressurized gas, as a reflector. While not as optically precise as a finely ground glass mirror, the surface accuracy of the film is more than adequate for use as a photon bucket. The simplicity, portability, accuracy, and economy of the inflatable antenna design allows large reflectors to be built and deployed in sufficient quantities to render reliable ground based reception of space based optical transmissions feasible.

Low cost optical buckets have been the primary missing feature restraining the development of extensive optical space communications. The technology could reduce the power requirements of deep space missions while maintaining a viable communications link. With the smaller is better philosophy in the space community, and the emphasis on interplanetary missions, interest could be high. The technology also lends itself very well to the role as solar concentrator. The RF feed could be replaced by an array of high energy solar cells and prove to be an alternate power source.

David L. Lichodziejewski
L'Garde, Inc.
15181 Woodlawn Avenue
Tustin, CA 92780

L'Garde, Inc.
15181 Woodlawn Avenue
Tustin, CA 92780