Wavefront Sensing in Space from the PICTURE-B Sounding Rocket

TL;DR

This paper reports on space-based wavefront sensing using a NASA sounding rocket, demonstrating active correction techniques with advanced optical components during suborbital flights to observe dust disks around Epsilon Eridani.

Contribution

It introduces the first active wavefront sensing in space using a piezoelectric mirror and deformable mirror on a sounding rocket.

Findings

Successful demonstration of active wavefront sensing in space.

Achievement of precise pointing and lightweight optics in a suborbital environment.

First in-space wavefront correction with advanced optical components.

Abstract

A NASA sounding rocket for high contrast imaging with a visible nulling coronagraph, the Planet Imaging Coronagraphic Technology Using a Reconfigurable Experimental Base (PICTURE-B) payload has made two suborbital attempts to observe the warm dust disk inferred around Epsilon Eridani. We present results from the November 2015 launch demonstrating active wavefront sensing in space with a piezoelectric mirror stage and a micromachine deformable mirror along with precision pointing and lightweight optics in space.