Overview

• A hexapod structure tested at the University of Florida achieved stability of 11 picometers per √Hz, approaching the 10 pm/√Hz target for habitable-world imaging.
• Struts evaluated by NASA Marshall showed under 5 nanometers rms mirror deformation across a 28 K temperature change, confirming near-zero thermal expansion.
• Supported by NASA SBIR funding, detailed characterization of ALLVAR Alloy 30—including strength, fatigue and micro-creep assessments—has cleared major space-material qualification milestones.
• The alloy’s −30 ppm/°C coefficient of thermal expansion counterbalances conventional materials’ expansion to enable ultra-stable telescope structures.
• These advances address NASA’s 1:1,000,000,000 contrast requirement by providing picometer-level dimensional control essential for detecting habitable exoplanets.