UCF
Seeing the Past and Predicting the Future
T
vital and has the laboratory equipment that we
information about our world and the don’t, so by having access to her team and
universe around us. These telescopes resources, we’ve been able to develop this
elescopes
in
space
provide
have been very expensive to manufacture
process further.”
and place in space, but that may change
as innovators in the region create a new
generation of telescopes.
“The project is to make lightweight, thermally
stable, low-cost space mirrors,” said Bill
Easter, CEO of Semplastics in Oviedo. “It’s a
key technology never been done before that
can be manufactured faster and cheaper to be
sent out into space more often.”
Easter
and
Kathleen
Richardson,
“The motivation that’s behind what the MGRP
Ph.D.,
professor of Optics and Materials Science
and Engineering in the College of Optics and
Photonics at the University of Central Florida,
have been working together through the
Matching Grants Research Program (MGRP) to
further develop the lightweight mirrors.
The mirrors would be attached to earth-
and space-observing telescopes to capture
electromagnetic radiation from space and
could provide information on extraterrestrial life,
how the universe originated, and weather and
climate changes.
“Dr. Richardson and her team at the University
of Central Florida have been great on consulting
and helping us with many of the mechanisms
related to the mirror’s manufacturer,” said
Easter. “Dr. Richardson is an expert in glass
30
While Richardson
also sees the value
in partnership, she
understands The
Corridor’s long-term
vision as well.
funds are to be used for not only helps
industries, but also helps us at the university
and our efforts to develop the next generation
of scientists and engineers for the workforce,”
said Richardson. “I think this program is so
valuable. Not all states do this and I’m a huge
advocate for the long term return this program
offers to our community.”