Shape determination of large deployable space structures through the use of fiber-optics with integrated fiber-Bragg's gratings

The Department of Defense is pursuing efforts to develop ever larger space-based apertures in an attempt to provide better imagery and intelligence for national defense purposes. Unfortunately, due to their shear enormity, many of these apertures will experience displacements and kinematics that work to degrade the resolution of incoming images. Currently, there are multiple efforts to develop software-based compensation schemes, to "clean up the image;" however, these schemes rely on high precision metrology systems to provide accurate information regarding the shape and dynamics of the structure. This paper details a collaborative effort, between the Air Force Research Laboratory/Space Vehicles Directorate (AFRL/VS), the Aerospace Corporation, CSA Engineering, and Jackson and Tull Engineering, conducted to assess the potential of using a fiber-Bragg's system for the metrology of large, space-based apertures.