Occulter for exoplanet exploration

摘要

A method of deploying a space based occulter is provided. The occulter comprises a base portion and a blanket section extending radially from the base portion. A plurality of starlight blocking petals are attached to the base portion and attached to the blanket section, the petals extending radially from the base portion, each of the petals being hingedly connected to an adjacent petal.

主权项

1. A method of deploying a space based occulter from a stowed position to a deployed position comprising:
providing a plurality of petals in a first position parallel to a first plane and attached to a base portion via a blanket section, said blanket section having an interior perimeter edge attached to said base portion and an exterior perimeter edge attached to said plurality of petals, said base portion being parallel to a second plane generally orthogonal to said first plane, wherein said plurality of petals, when in the stowed position, are folded along respective hinges in a nested configuration bounded by two bookend petals, each of said plurality of petals laying flat against an adjacent petal and being oriented in a same direction relative to said base portion when in said nested configuration; extending at least two of said petals away from said base portion; rotating said at least two petals from the first position parallel to said first plane in said stowed position to said deployed position generally parallel to said second plane; and transitioning the blanket section from a stowed position at said base portion to said deployed position generally parallel to said second plane.