Seven years ago the IMAGE spacecraft was successfully launched and functioned for over 5 years studying the various plasma filled regions surrounding the earth (ionosphere to magnetosphere) in wavelengths from radio through EUV. We designed and coated mirrors for the Extreme Ultraviolet Imager (EUVI) instrument, which was one of about four observational components of the IMAGE Mission. IMAGE, which stands for Imager for Magnetopause to Aurora Global Exploration, was a NASA funded Medium Explorer (MIDEX) program) [1].

We are now in the process of designing a mirror for a lunar observatory which the chinese are designing. It will look at the earth and image the plasmasphere like IMAGE did but from much further away.

Skills and Experience Required

Various people:
Design:
1) Can run a computer program with supervision t help design the mirror coating.
2) Had physics through 123 (through 220 advisable and 471 a plus)
Fabrication
1) Had physics through 220 (through 222 advisable.)
2) Lab classes and shop helpful.
3)

Large scale funding for project will NOT come about until 2008 but we are now in planning. There will be an opportunity for publishing.

Contact Details

If you have questions or are interested in pursuing this research project, contact David D. Allred for more information.