All-SiC telescope technology at EADS ASTRIUM: Big step forward for space optical payloads

Ceramic mirrors and structures have become extremely attractive for high precision light weighted optomechanical applications. Developments over the past years by Boostec and EADS-Astrium have demonstrated the feasibility and versatility of the Sintered SiC material for numerous applications. The incomparable properties of the Boostec® Silicon Carbide material combined with more than 20 years efforts to develop a large range of joining processes, allows for large size light weighed space applications and systems. In the framework of earth and scientific observation, high and very high-resolution optical payloads have been developed by EADSAstrium and its partner Boostec. Since the beginning of this new century, seven SiC instruments have been launched; they are successfully operating in space. More than ten instruments are under development, most of them being already tested and qualified. It means the manufacturing and testing of more than 150 SiC mirrors and structural parts for space applications under environmental conditions varying from 300 K to a few Kelvin. This unique experience acquired by EADS-Astrium and its partner allows now to propose the Boostec SiC technology for the benefit of a large and complete range of space-based system for optical observation.