The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded a $7.9 million contract to Honeywell Aerospace Technologies for the second phase of the Zenith program, which aims to develop a size-scalable liquid mirror for space and ground telescope applications. Liquid mirrors are reflective surfaces created by spinning a shallow dish of reflective liquid, such as mercury, to form a parabolic shape. They are less expensive and more adaptable than traditional glass mirrors.
The Zenith program seeks to create liquid mirrors that are tiltable, scalable, damage-resilient, and suitable for use in space and ground telescopes. The first phase of the program focused on designing a scalable liquid mirror lens, while the second phase will involve demonstrating a larger aperture size and improved functionality.
The development of liquid mirrors and liquid mirror telescopes has the potential to revolutionize astronomy by allowing for significantly larger aperture sizes at a lower cost. These telescopes are easier to build, more damage-resistant, and have the potential for use in both ground and space applications.
Honeywell Aerospace Technologies will be conducting the work for the Zenith program in several locations, with an expected completion date of November 2026. For more information, interested parties can visit the Honeywell Aerospace Technologies website or the DARPA website.
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