Deformable mirror technology roadmap: architecting a path to TRL 5 for future exoplanet direct imaging space missions

The Deformable Mirror (DM) Technology Roadmap (DMTR) working group is a team tasked by NASA's Exoplanet Exploration Program Office (ExEp) with studying the path to bring deformable mirror systems to a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5. It is operating jointly with Coronagraph Architecture Study and Coronagraph Technology Roadmap working groups to inform the newly formed Habitable Worlds (HabWorlds) Observatory (HWO) Technology Assessment Group (TAG) and Science, Technology, Architecture Review Team (START). DMs are the critical component of any exoplanet direct imaging coronagraph, and there is no device that exists today which can meet the ambitious requirements expected for HWO. The objective of the DMTR is to survey the field of DM technologies, define a baseline set of device requirements from which we can iterate on a development plan with vendors, and recommend a development and verification program. The purpose is to provide a more mature starting point for the future HWO technology development plans. To that end, the DMTR effort builds on the HabEx and LUVOIR decadal studies, as well as the flight development experience of Roman Coronagraph Instrument. The key deliverable is a general TRL development architecture, and assessments of cost, schedule, and risks for all vendors to the extent they are able to engage in the study. In this effort we consider the TRL of the DM as a system, meaning the device, drive electronics, and harnessing. This is an important distinction since TRL-5 is only achieved by demonstrating that the system meets performance requirements with a form and fit that matches a flight-worthy device subjected to relevant environments. Here we present progress on our development of validation plan for HWO DM system technologies.