After months of preparation and sorting out the logistics, it is finally here! With the arrival of a special instrument to Tucson, I am very excited to start a new lab for our Nautilus Space Observatory project at The University of Arizona.
The crate weighs about as much as an elephant and holds a cutting-edge, industrial-grade, high-precision glass-molding machine. It is capable of rapidly replicating intricate diffractive patterns with few nm precision onto relatively large-diameter glass blanks.
Next, we are going to move it into a large cleanroom. I will share photos and details once the machine is installed and operational. This machine will be the workhorse of our project to rapidly replicate ultralight, high-performance space optics at low cost. This work will enable space telescope constellations. Yes – this cool machine will help us launch a new type space telescope!
Read more about our Nautilus Space Observatory in my article in The Conversation and check out our project website.
