Optical Components & Telescopes for Space by Avantier

Avantier is a trusted partner in major space programs worldwide, offering extensive experience in high-precision opto-mechanical design, fabrication, and assembly. We provide cutting-edge solutions for space optical remote sensing payloads, including space telescopes, space cameras and satellite-borne optical cameras. Our systems are engineered to meet the stringent requirements of space science and Earth Observation (EO) missions, ensuring unparalleled quality, precision, and accuracy.

Avantier’s Core Expertise in Space Optics

Avantier specializes in three key pillars to support the most demanding space missions:

  1. Optical Components for Space: We manufacture critical, high-performance optical components specifically designed for the challenges of space environments.
  2. Specialized Space Telescopes: We provide both Ritchey-Chrétien (RC) telescopes and SiC telescopes, built to deliver exceptional imaging performance in compact, space-ready formats.
  3. Optical Design & Optimization Services for Space: We collaborate closely with your engineering teams to develop, refine, and optimize complete optical systems tailored to mission-specific requirements—ensuring peak performance from concept to deployment.

1. Advanced Optical Components for Space

Avantier specializes in designing and manufacturing a wide range of optical components specifically for space applications.

Ultra-Lightweight Mirrors

We offer design and manufacturing services for various types of ultra-lightweight mirrors made from silicon carbide (SiC), Zerodur, and Fused Silica, along with precision structural components. These components are tailored to your exact requirements and boast:
  • Low weight: Crucial for reducing launch costs and payload mass.
  • High stiffness: Ensures structural integrity in extreme conditions.
  • Excellent thermal stability: Maintains optical performance across wide temperature fluctuations.
Both our optical mirrors and structural parts are manufactured with athermal design, ensuring superior adaptability to the harsh space environment.

Key Specifications for Lightweight Zerodur Mirrors:

Material

Zerodur (microcrystalline glass)

Dimensions

Diameter 150 mm, Center thickness 40 mm

Weight

0.5 kg

Surface Shape

≤λ/20 (λ=632.8 nm)

Surface Flatness

≤0.05 nm

Coating

Protected silver

Custom Silicon Carbide (SiC) Mirror Specifications:

Material

Silicon Carbide

Diameter

25 – 800 mm

Surface Shape

Flat (typical), Sphere, Aspheric

Surface Flatness

Up to λ/100 RMS

Coatings

Al, Ag, Au, and High Laser Damage Threshold Dielectric Coatings as needed

2. Specialized Space Telescopes

Avantier manufactures Ritchey-Chrétien (RC) telescopes and SiC telescopes designed for demanding space missions, including those for small satellites.

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Feature

RC Telescopes 

SiC Telescopes 

Type

Cassegrain Telescope

Rich-Cleven type Telescope

Material

Aluminum, Primary and secondary mirrors coated with silver

SiC

Dimensions

∅110×210.5 mm

∅94 x 208 mm

Weight

0.3 kg (Total Lens)

0.7 kg

Aperture Range

Consumer-Grade: ∅100 – ∅200 mm; Research-Grade: Up to ∅500 mm

Consumer-Grade: ∅100 – ∅200 mm; Research-Grade: Up to ∅500 mm

Focal Length & F/#

760 mm – 1600 mm; F/5.6 – F/8

200-24000mm;f/1.8-f/2.5

Interface

1-32 UN, compatible with C-mount cameras, flange-to-image distance 17.5mm

Customized interface

Spectral Coverage

Visible to Near-Infrared (VIS–NIR)

Ultraviolet to near-infrared

On-Axis RMS

<0.1λ

<0.08λ

Off-Axis RMS (0.5°)

<0.2λ

<0.12λ

Mirror Reflectivity

>95%(760-1600nm)

>95% (400–12,000 nm)

MTF

>13%,108lp/mm

>20% at 104.9 lp/mm

3. Expert Optical Design & Optimization Services

Avantier provides comprehensive optical system design and optimization services for aerospace optical payloads. While we don’t solely focus on manufacturing, we emphasize our role in helping customers optimize and design optical systems to precisely meet their unique requirements and applications. This includes:
  • Comprehensive Optical System Design & Optimization: We design custom optical systems that feature high performance, lightweight, and compact configurations tailored to meet stringent aerospace requirements. Our expertise covers a broad array of optical architectures:
    • Coaxial Ritchey-Chrétien (RC) telescopes
    • Off-axis three-mirror anastigmatic (TMA) systems
    • Catadioptric optical systems
    • Refractive optical systems
    • Multispectral and hyperspectral imaging systems
  • Optical System Design for Wide Spectrum Star Trackers: We design vital star trackers (reflective, catadioptric, and transmissive) for spacecraft attitude determination. Our compact, athermalized f/2.8 lens design, optimized for 450-1000nm and 2048×2048 sensors, ensures stable, high-performance star identification across extreme temperatures for reliable space navigation
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  • Miniaturized Optics for Small Sats & CubeSats: Our expertise in miniaturized optics is transforming CubeSat and nano-satellite capabilities. From advanced telescope designs for astronomy to agile beam steering and real-time spectroscopy, we deliver compact optical systems that overcome manufacturing challenges in alignment, thermal performance, and integration. These solutions consistently exceed benchmarks set by larger spacecraft, making miniature optics a cornerstone for scalable and intelligent space missions
  • Advanced Material Selections: We carefully select advanced materials for both optical elements (including SiC, Fused Silica, Zerodur, etc.) and mechanical structures (Aluminum-based SiC, Invar, titanium alloy, etc.) to ensure thermal stability, mechanical robustness, and optical precision.

Precision Manufacturing & Assembly

Our state-of-the-art manufacturing and integration processes ensure mission readiness:
  • High-precision machining of mechanical components and high-precision polishing of optical components (aspheric elements, freeform optics, SiC mirrors).
  • Precision alignment and assembly of optical systems for operational stability in demanding environments.

Fabrication & Testing

Utilizing advanced processing techniques such as small-tool polishing, magnetorheological finishing (MRF), and ion beam figuring (IBF), we precisely fabricate complex optical components. Combined with Computer-Generated Hologram (CGH) interferometric compensation technology, we accurately test a wide range of optical surfaces. We also offer:
  • Image quality evaluation: Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) testing and wavefront testing.
  • Full optical performance evaluation under simulated space conditions.
  • Extensive mechanical and thermal tests for aerospace optical systems: Vibration and shock testing, Thermal cycling testing, Thermal vacuum testing, Thermo-optical testing.

Space Applications of Avantier Optics

Our high-performance optical systems are crucial for diverse space applications:

Application Area

How Avantier Optics Contribute

Navigation with Optical Sensors

Satellites use star trackers (high-precision cameras) for orientation and course correction. Space telescopes utilize complex mirror and lens systems to focus faint light from distant objects.

Optical Communication

Free-space laser communication enables high-bandwidth data transfer between spacecraft and Earth, or between spacecraft themselves.

Space Telescopes

Renowned applications of optical technologies, like the Hubble Space Telescope, which collects visible and ultraviolet light.

Observation and Science

Spectrometers analyze light to determine object composition. Lasers are used in lunar missions to search for ice deposits.

Photovoltaic Devices

Solar cells convert sunlight into electricity, powering spacecraft systems and recharging batteries.

Advanced Capabilities and Technologies for Space Optics

Avantier leverages cutting-edge capabilities:

  • Optical Polishing: Capable of processing any refractive optical material and mirror substrates (glass, SiC, Zerodur, etc.) up to 4 meters. We produce high-precision plano, freeform, spherical, and aspheric surfaces using computer-controlled polishing and ion-beam-figuring techniques.
  • Coating: Uses advanced techniques like IAD E-Beam and IBS to produce coatings for filters, beam splitters, and more. These coatings are critical across various industries and spectral regions.
  • Precision Alignment and Integration: Proven techniques for lens centering, mounting, and mirror attachment. Components are aligned and integrated before undergoing extensive environmental tests for space qualification.

Other Related Components

Component

Substrates

Standard Specifications

Coatings

Key Features

OAP Mirrors

Aluminum

Surface Roughness: R5 nm. Surface Accuracy: 1/10λ RMS. Surface Shape: 1/8λ. Surface Quality: 60-40.

Aluminum (Protected, Enhanced, UV Enhanced), Gold (Protected, Bare), Silver (Protected, Ultrafast Enhanced)

Customizable Specs & Coatings, Precision Manufacturing

Optical Domes

Fused Silica, Sapphire, Germanium, Zinc Selenide (ZnSe), MgF2 Ceramic

Surface Accuracy: 1/10−1λ. Dimensional Tolerance: ±0.1 mm. Surface Quality: 20/10 to 60/40. Clear Aperture: 90%. 

Anti-Reflection (AR) Coatings

Customizable Sizes, High Durability, Precision Manufacturing, Application Versatility

 

Partner with Avantier for Optical Systems for Space

Avantier delivers advanced optical components for space, engineered for reliability in the most demanding environments. Our tailored optical solutions support a wide range of applications, including Earth science, space-based optical communication, photonic satellite payloads, space-based quantum communication, and photonic technologies for space telescopes and imaging systems. Enhance your space missions with Avantier’s expertise in space telescopes and optical design & optimization services for space. Contact us today to learn more about our capabilities and how we can support your project from concept to launch.
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