Deformable mirrors, similar to those used for ground adaptive optics, can be used in a space telescope to create dark regions near a star where companion planets can be imaged.
The cost and availability of these important materials have had their ups and downs. The optics industry is using several strategies to make sure future needs are met.
Two key managers of the James Webb Space Telescope project for NASA talk about the innovations that have taken place to advance technology for the JWST.
Distance from Earth and segmented mirror technology are among many space telescope challenges for the lead optical designer of the James Webb Space Telescope.
