Optically Sparse Primary Aperture Mirrors for Space-Based Earth-Observation Telescopes

Scientific objectives from earth observation to astronomy require high-resolution observations from space-based platforms. However, designing space telescopes with large primary apertures to achieve high-resolution and high Signal-to-Noise Ratio observations, especially for those operating in longer...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ghosh, Avyarthana, A, Anil Kumar, P, Balamuralidhar, Pal, Arpan, Gubbi, Jayavardhana
Format: Conference Proceeding
Language:English
Subjects:
Apertures
Earth-observation
Image restoration
imaging
Manufacturing
Mirrors
Optical imaging
Optical losses
optically sparse primary aperture mirror
point spread function
space-telescope
Telescopes
thermal infrared
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Summary:Scientific objectives from earth observation to astronomy require high-resolution observations from space-based platforms. However, designing space telescopes with large primary apertures to achieve high-resolution and high Signal-to-Noise Ratio observations, especially for those operating in longer wavelengths (like Thermal Infrared, TIR), is not feasible due to difficulties in manufacturing, launching, and post-deployment stabilizing. This work proposes three novel lightweight, optically-sparse (also known as partially-filled) mirrors with non-uniform sub-aperture sizes. These designs reduce the mass of the primary mirror and its supporting framework. The crux of these designs is, however, significant suppression of sidelobes in the resulting Point Spread Functions (PSFs). The study includes restored images and image quality indices, demonstrating the effectiveness of such lightweight unequal sub-apertures as replacements for large monolithic mirrors with only a marginal loss in performance.
ISSN:2153-7003
DOI:10.1109/IGARSS52108.2023.10281413