Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
*Subscribe to Foresight Space Seminar Group:* foresight.org/seminar/space-seminar-group
Supporting researchers, entrepreneurs, and funders in advancing progress in space development, from near-term applications to long-term exploration.
*Ed Balaban | FLUTE (Fluidic Telescope): From Puddles to Giant Space Observatories*
Abstract: The future of space-based UV/optical/IR astronomy requires ever larger telescopes. The highest priority astrophysics targets — including Earth-like exoplanets, first generation stars, and early galaxies — are all very faint, which presents a challenge for current and next generation telescopes. Larger telescopes are the primary (if not only) way to address this issue. With mission costs depending strongly on aperture diameter, scaling current space telescope technologies to aperture sizes exceeding 10 meters does not appear economically viable.
The NASA FLUTE (Fluidic Telescope) project proposes to overcome the current scaling limitations for space optics via a novel approach based on fluidic shaping in microgravity. This technique has already been successfully demonstrated in a laboratory neutral buoyancy environment, in parabolic microgravity flights, and aboard the International Space Station (ISS). In this talk, Dr. Edward Balaban will present the results to date and outline the work in progress, including technology maturation experiments and FLUTE mission concepts under development.
Bio: Dr. Edward Balaban is a research scientist at NASA Ames Research Center and is the Principal Investigator for FLUTE project. His professional interests include robotics, autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, and development of innovative space missions.
In addition to FLUTE, Ed is the lead for strategic mission planning on NASA’s Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) mission and a member of VIPER’s Science and Mission Operations teams. He is also involved in planning lunar surface operations on the Artemis program and the CT-4/IM-5 mission. Ed leads the Health-Aware Decision Making Group within the Intelligent Systems Division of NASA Ames and serves as the Principal Investigator for SHERPA (System Health Enabled Realtime Planning Advisor), an artificial intelligence system for space mission planning and execution support. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from The George Washington University, a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Cornell University, and a Ph.D. in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Stanford University.
nasa.gov/science-research/astrophysics/what-is-the-fluidic-telescope
linkedin.com/in/edwardbalaban
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*About The Foresight Institute*
The Foresight Institute is a research organization and non-profit that supports the beneficial development of high-impact technologies. Since our founding in 1986 on a vision of guiding powerful technologies, we have continued to evolve into a many-armed organization that focuses on several fields of science and technology that are too ambitious for legacy institutions to support. From molecular nanotechnology, to brain-computer interfaces, space exploration, cryptocommerce, and AI, Foresight gathers leading minds to advance research and accelerate progress toward flourishing futures.
*We are entirely funded by your donations. If you enjoy what we do please consider donating through our donation page:* foresight.org/donate
*Visit* https://foresight.org, *subscribe to our channel for more videos or join us here:*
*• Twitter:* https://x.com/foresightinst
*• Facebook:* facebook.com/foresightinst
*• LinkedIn:* linkedin.com/company/foresight-institute
══════════════════════════════════════
*Timecodes*
00:00 Introduction
00:23 FLUTE Project Overview
01:30 Space Telescope Scaling
03:40 Project Origin Story
06:40 Surface Tension Physics
09:30 Fluidic Shaping Method
13:30 Optical Surface Quality
16:45 Liquid Optics In Space
18:10 Fifty Meter Observatory
20:10 Funding And Team
23:10 Microgravity Flight Tests
25:00 Liquid Mirror Materials
27:10 ISS And Design Studies
30:50 Disturbance Mitigation Roadmap
33:26 Q and A Start
33:30 Liquid Versus Solid Mirrors
35:02 Telescope Size Limits
36:09 Liquid Surface Correction
40:20 Creating Concave Mirrors
43:23 Capillary Limits In Space
44:19 Vacuum Experiment Plans
*Subscribe to Foresight Space Seminar Group:* foresight.org/seminar/space-seminar-group
Supporting researchers, entrepreneurs, and funders in advancing progress in space development, from near-term applications to long-term exploration.
*Ed Balaban | FLUTE (Fluidic Telescope): From Puddles to Giant Space Observatories*
Abstract: The future of space-based UV/optical/IR astronomy requires ever larger telescopes. The highest priority astrophysics targets — including Earth-like exoplanets, first generation stars, and early galaxies — are all very faint, which presents a challenge for current and next generation telescopes. Larger telescopes are the primary (if not only) way to address this issue. With mission costs depending strongly on aperture diameter, scaling current space telescope technologies to aperture sizes exceeding 10 meters does not appear economically viable.
The NASA FLUTE (Fluidic Telescope) project proposes to overcome the current scaling limitations for space optics via a novel approach based on fluidic shaping in microgravity. This technique has already been successfully demonstrated in a laboratory neutral buoyancy environment, in parabolic microgravity flights, and aboard the International Space Station (ISS). In this talk, Dr. Edward Balaban will present the results to date and outline the work in progress, including technology maturation experiments and FLUTE mission concepts under development.
Bio: Dr. Edward Balaban is a research scientist at NASA Ames Research Center and is the Principal Investigator for FLUTE project. His professional interests include robotics, autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, and development of innovative space missions.
In addition to FLUTE, Ed is the lead for strategic mission planning on NASA’s Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) mission and a member of VIPER’s Science and Mission Operations teams. He is also involved in planning lunar surface operations on the Artemis program and the CT-4/IM-5 mission. Ed leads the Health-Aware Decision Making Group within the Intelligent Systems Division of NASA Ames and serves as the Principal Investigator for SHERPA (System Health Enabled Realtime Planning Advisor), an artificial intelligence system for space mission planning and execution support. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from The George Washington University, a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Cornell University, and a Ph.D. in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Stanford University.
nasa.gov/science-research/astrophysics/what-is-the-fluidic-telescope
linkedin.com/in/edwardbalaban
══════════════════════════════════════
*About The Foresight Institute*
The Foresight Institute is a research organization and non-profit that supports the beneficial development of high-impact technologies. Since our founding in 1986 on a vision of guiding powerful technologies, we have continued to evolve into a many-armed organization that focuses on several fields of science and technology that are too ambitious for legacy institutions to support. From molecular nanotechnology, to brain-computer interfaces, space exploration, cryptocommerce, and AI, Foresight gathers leading minds to advance research and accelerate progress toward flourishing futures.
*We are entirely funded by your donations. If you enjoy what we do please consider donating through our donation page:* foresight.org/donate
*Visit* https://foresight.org, *subscribe to our channel for more videos or join us here:*
*• Twitter:* https://x.com/foresightinst
*• Facebook:* facebook.com/foresightinst
*• LinkedIn:* linkedin.com/company/foresight-institute
══════════════════════════════════════
*Timecodes*
00:00 Introduction
00:23 FLUTE Project Overview
01:30 Space Telescope Scaling
03:40 Project Origin Story
06:40 Surface Tension Physics
09:30 Fluidic Shaping Method
13:30 Optical Surface Quality
16:45 Liquid Optics In Space
18:10 Fifty Meter Observatory
20:10 Funding And Team
23:10 Microgravity Flight Tests
25:00 Liquid Mirror Materials
27:10 ISS And Design Studies
30:50 Disturbance Mitigation Roadmap
33:26 Q and A Start
33:30 Liquid Versus Solid Mirrors
35:02 Telescope Size Limits
36:09 Liquid Surface Correction
40:20 Creating Concave Mirrors
43:23 Capillary Limits In Space
44:19 Vacuum Experiment Plans
