Additive Manufacturing Is the Key for Freeform Optics in Space

One of the increasingly important ways that additive manufacturing is being used in outer space is for the creation of better parts for satellites. Satellites are critical for our way of life, with an estimated 9039 currently orbiting earth as of December 2023 according to the website Orbiting Now. These are used for everything from weather forecasting and television to internet communications and even GPS. That’s why innovation is so important in the sector, including for the glass optics which are so critical to satellite optical payloads. And now, it seems that there is yet more news coming out of about this. Through the iLAuNCH Trailblazer program, South Australia (UniSA), VPG Innovation and SMR will work on a new optical manufacturing process, called freeform optics, using additive manufacturing.

As the name suggests, freeform optics are those that are free from constraints of symmetry in form and shape. Now, thanks to additive manufacturing, it is possible to design them by making complex shapes that can provide larger fields of view than the optics made by traditional manufacturing. This while still allowing for different sizes and enabling the parts to withstand the harshness of space. It is no surprise either that this is being done as part of the iLAuNCH Trailblazer program. It has been created specifically to help accelerate space innovation in Australia.

The team involved in the iLAuNCH freeform optics project (photo credits: iLAuNCH)

iLAuNCH Trailblazer Executive Director, Darin Lovett expanded, “This project demonstrates what iLAuNCH is all about, taking a 2021 Defence Innovation Partnership (DIP) concept demonstrator that investigated the viability of Freeform Optical Components for small satellites – and moving it into production using Australian technology for real world application.”