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In this paper, we provide an overview of the adaptive optics (AO) program for the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) project, including an update on requirements; the philosophical approach to developing an overall AO system architecture; the recently completed conceptual designs for facility and instrument AO systems; anticipated first light capabilities and upgrade options; and the hardware, software, and controls interfaces with the remainder of the observatory. Supporting work in AO component development, lab and field tests, and simulation and analysis is also discussed. Further detail on all of these subjects may be found in additional papers in this conference.

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This paper presents a status of the development of the 1 6meter hybrid mirror demonstrator for the Next Generation Space Telescope (NGST) Program. The COl design approach for the NGST program combines the optical performance of glass, with the high specific stiffhess capabilities of composite materials. This structural hybridization significantly reduces the area! density of mirror substrate, compared to state-of-the-art all-glass mirrors, while maintaining operational robustness. The foundation technologies being exploited in the development of the hybrid mirror ( Figure 1) focus upon precision composite materials for cryogenic operation, and non-contact optical processing (ion figuring) of the lightweight mirror surface. The NGST Mirror System Demonstrator (NMSD) has been designed and built by Composite Optics, Inc. (COT) and is being optically processed by REOSC. The mirror is currently being (optically) tested at cryogenic temperatures at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) X-Ray Calibration Facility (XRCF). This paper summarizes system requirements, design description, sub-component and component demonstration results, and the technology status for the NGST Mirror System Demonstrator (NMSD) program. The sponsors of these efforts are the NASA Marshall and Goddard Space Flight Centers.