Freeform wide-field-of-view imaging telescope improving spaceborne climate monitoring

Lien Smeesters; Luca Schifano; Dries Rosseel; Jef Verbaenen; Hugo Thienpont; Steven Dewitte; Francis Berghmans; Michael Vervaeke

doi:10.1117/12.2691627

14 September 2023 Freeform wide-field-of-view imaging telescope improving spaceborne climate monitoring

Lien Smeesters, Luca Schifano, Dries Rosseel, Jef Verbaenen, Hugo Thienpont, Steven Dewitte, Francis Berghmans, Michael Vervaeke

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 12798, International Optical Design Conference 2023; 127980N (2023) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2691627
Event: International Optical Design Conference 2023, 2023, Quebec City, QC, Canada

Abstract

Wide field-of-view imaging optics offers a huge potential for space-based Earth observation and climate change monitoring by capturing global data. We present the design and proof-of-concept demonstration of a freeform 2-mirror space-based telescope featuring a full field-of-view of 120°, nearly reaching Earth observation from limb to limb from a nominal altitude of 700 km, while showing a spatial resolution of 2.6 km, and fitting within 1 CubeSat unit. Our design benefits from freeform optics to maximize the field-of-view, while maintaining a diffraction-limited image quality and minimizing the system dimensions. Particularly, both mirror surfaces were accurately modelled and optimized using an XY polynomial description. Subsequently, the mirrors are manufactured using high-precision 5-axis milling and ultraprecision diamond tooling, after which a laboratory demonstrator setup of the telescope was realized. We believe this design paves the way towards future space missions enabling an improved Earth observation, leading to an enhanced monitoring of climate and climate change.

(2023) Published by SPIE. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Citation Download Citation

Lien Smeesters, Luca Schifano, Dries Rosseel, Jef Verbaenen, Hugo Thienpont, Steven Dewitte, Francis Berghmans, and Michael Vervaeke "Freeform wide-field-of-view imaging telescope improving spaceborne climate monitoring", Proc. SPIE 12798, International Optical Design Conference 2023, 127980N (14 September 2023); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2691627

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available