NASA Insignia

Projects

1. NexGen Micro-Shutter Array for NG-FORTIS

On OCT. 27, 2019, a NASA/JHU sounding rocket carrying the Next-Generation Far-UV Off Roland-circle Telescope (NG-FORTIS) was launched successfully at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. Applied as a multi-object selector, a NexGen Micro-Shutter Array (NGMSA) was assembled on the focal plane of the UV detector on NG-FORTIS. The newly developed electrostatically actuated 128x64 microshutter array functioned perfectly in the NG-FORTIS space operation mission. With the prototype NGMSA operating in space, we reached a major milestone towards producing large format electrostatically actuated microshutter array for future major space telescopes with large field of views.

A SEM image of the microshutters in a 128x64 NGMSA array for NG-FORTIS telescope.
A SEM image of the microshutters in a 128x64 NGMSA array for NG-FORTIS telescope.
A SEM image of the microshutters array with the light shields that prevent light passing through the gaps between shutter blades and the frame. Wide light shields are a special requirement from NG-FORTIS mission.
A SEM image of the microshutters array with the light shields that prevent light passing through the gaps between shutter blades and the frame. Wide light shields are a special requirement from NG-FORTIS mission.
Photo of 128x64 NGMSA-Big θ assembly before its deliver to Johns Hopkins for optical test with the UV detector.
Photo of 128x64 NGMSA-Big θ assembly before its deliver to Johns Hopkins for optical test with the UV detector.
Photos of NGMSA-Big θ functional tests conducted at the product acceptance test. Left: the functional test chamber in 2D addressing tests. Right: Prof. McCandliss PI, and his student B. Welch from JHU, and. NASA test engineer K. Kim.
Photos of NGMSA-Big θ functional tests conducted at the product acceptance test. Left: the functional test chamber in 2D addressing tests. Right: Prof. McCandliss PI, and his student B. Welch from JHU, and. NASA test engineer K. Kim.
A photo taken from NG-FORTIS telescope before the space launch, showing NGMSA Big θ assembly located in the telescope.
A photo taken from NG-FORTIS telescope before the space launch, showing NGMSA Big θ assembly located in the telescope.

The project has been supported by NASA HQ in a ROSES-APRA program.

2. NexGen Micro-Shutter Array for Future Space Flight Missions

The team is currently producing fully-functional 282.6K-pixel NGMSA arrays. We plan to demonstrate the large NGMSA 2D-addressing functions in 2021, strategically aligning to the requirements from flagship mission telescopes including

  • Large UV/Optical/Infrared Surveyor (LUVOIR
  • Habitable Exoplanet Image Mission (HabEx)
  • Cosmic Evolution Through UV Spectroscopy (CETUS)
  • and other future NASA missions for both ground and space applications
Size comparison of two generations of microshutter arrays.
Size comparison of two generations of microshutter arrays: Left: 8.1K-pixel (128x64) array – both magnetically actuated (the first generation) and electrostatically actuated (the second generation) were developed; Middle: 62.7K-pixel (364x171) array - Magnetically actuated (the first generation) microshutter array developed for JWST; Right: 282.6K-pixel (736x384) array – Electrostatically actuated (second generation) microshutter array under development for future large-format space telescopes.
SEM images of interconnects in NGMSA assemblies.
SEM images of interconnects in NGMSA assemblies to connect electrodes in an array to the substrate. The silver traces are printed with an aerosol jet printing equipment from OPTOMEC.

To accommodate the geometry of NGMSA assemblies, interconnects within the NGMSA assemblies are designed with additive manufacturing technology. Direct-write printed metal traces are replacing bonding wires that are often used in the traditional packaging process. The metal traces can be printed with a syringe tool or an aerosol jet tool.

An image of a 282.6K-pixel NGMSA mechanical structure hybrid mounted on a vibration table for random vibe and acoustic vibe tests.
An image of a 282.6K-pixel NGMSA mechanical structure hybrid mounted on a vibration table for random vibe and acoustic vibe tests.

In the large-format NGMSA development, ceramic substrates were designed to enhance mechanical strength of NGMSA hybrids as well as to improve electrical performance of NGMSA assemblies. Hybrids were produced through epoxy bonding between the array and the substrate. One hybrid went through various vibration tests required for space flight missions and passed all of the tests. The team is currently producing fully-functional NGMSA arrays. We plan to demonstrate the large NGMSA 2D-addressing functions in 2021.

The project is supported by NASA HQ in a ROSES-SAT program.