Ultralightweight C/SiC Mirrors and Structures

B. Harnisch et al.

Silicon-carbide (SiC) ceramic mirrors and structures are becoming increasingly important for lightweight opto-mechanical systems that must work in adverse environments. At DSS and IABG, a special form of SiC ceramic (C/SiC) has been developed under ESA contract which offers exceptional design freedom, due to its reduced brittleness and negligible volume shrinkage during processing. This new material has already been used to produce ultra-lightweight mirrors and monolithic reference structures for eventual space application.