Technology ChallengesJonas Zmuidzinas

Caltech

What are the challenges?

• Each mission concept is enabled by a diverse set of technologies• There are some overlaps, e.g., spacecraft-related

components

• But many are unique, e.g., detectors (X-ray to far-IR)

• The two largest challenges for all technologies:

•Time•Money

Boyle & Smith, 1969: the CCDNobel prize, 2009

Sky & Telescope, 1987

2002:HST ACS

2kx4k

+ computing & storage !

Delta-doped CCDs

• Atomic layer growth and doping to enhance UV quantum efficiency

• Invented in response to problems with UV response of HST CCDs• Hoenk+, APL 1992

• Used in FIREBALL balloon payload

• Baselined for LUVOIR and HabEx, …

SIS receivers enable ALMA1979-2011

1979, CaltechTom Phillips

ALMA

Receiver cartridges

ALMA receiver

MKIDS, 1999-2019

Bezos/MARS: Machine

learning, Automation,

Robotics, and Space

Ben’s briefing baffles Bezos’ buddies

Turing award, 2019

Yann LeCun Geoffrey Hinton Yoshua Bengio

PhD 1977Edinburgh

Deep learning / GPUsHinton’s citation record1984-2019

Hinton & PhD advisor: ``We met once a week. Sometimes it ended in a shouting match, sometimes not.’’

NY Times, 3/27/2019

Summary

• (LIGO example)

• Technology takes time

• Technology takes money

• Support for technology development is essential for the future of astrophysics