Abstract: A carbon-carbon mirror for high thermal input space applications is comprised of a plurality of thermally conductive, metallic layers formed as a laminate structure atop a carbon-carbon substrate. Within the laminate structure, a first thin adhesion layer of chromium is formed directly on the surface of a carbon-carbon substrate. Atop the adhesion layer, a plating base layer of gold or copper is deposited, followed by a thick working/smnoothing layer of nickel, which serves as the optically reflective surface of the mirror. The nickel layer is polished to a precision flatness or smoothness. Because the underlying gold and chromium layers possess high thermal conductivity, they enhance the transmission of heat from the cladding layer to the underlying carbon-carbon substrate, thereby preventing the laminate from absorbing heat, which would lead to delamination of the structure.