SST M1 mirror witness samples LOT OF 2

Product Description

Rare M1 Primary Mirror Witness Samples (Lot of 2) – US Defense Lab Space Surveillance Telescope (SST) WFOV Program

This is an extraordinary opportunity to own a matched pair of pristine witness samples for the M1 primary mirror of the groundbreaking Space Surveillance Telescope (SST). Developed by a U.S. Defense Laboratory for the U.S. Space Force, these samples were coated in the same vacuum chamber run as the massive 3.5-meter primary mirror and used for non-destructive verification of coating performance under exacting defense specifications. A tangible piece of one of the world’s most capable optical space surveillance systems.

Key Specifications:

• Provenance: Space Surveillance Telescope (SST) M1 Primary Mirror – U.S. Defense Lab WFOV program

• Substrate: Low-expansion glass-ceramic (Zerodur-class) – matches the thermal stability of the flight mirror

• Dimensions: 1.5″ (38.1 mm) diameter × ~10 mm thickness (simulates coating adhesion/stress on large primary)

• Coating: High-reflectivity protected silver with multilayer dielectric overcoats – >98% average reflectivity, broadband visible to near-IR, exceptional environmental durability

• Condition: Mint – sealed in original antistatic bags with “Level 1 Certified” handling tags; no scratches or degradation

• Quantity: Lot of 2 identical samples

Why These Samples Are Exceptional:

• Historic Significance: Direct artifacts from a pioneering U.S. space surveillance asset, now operational in Western Australia.

• Coating Excellence: Protected silver offers superior reflectivity and durability, rarely available in surplus.

• Controlled Provenance: Originally from defense bonded inventory, ensuring traceability and handling integrity.

Applications:

• Collecting & Display: Museum-quality artifacts for space, defense, or optical technology collections.

• Optical Research & Calibration: High-performance reference mirrors for testing laser systems, spectrometers, or reflectometry.

• Education: Powerful teaching tools for advanced optics, coating technology, or space surveillance engineering.

• Heritage Preservation: For institutions documenting the history of U.S. defense and space technology.