Optical Components & Telescopes for Space

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:

Optical Components for Space: We manufacture critical, high-performance optical components specifically designed for the challenges of space environments.
Specialized Space Telescopes: We provide both Ritchey-Chrétien (RC) telescopes and SiC telescopes, built to deliver exceptional imaging performance in compact, space-ready formats.
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.

Advanced Optical Components for Space
Specialized Space Telescopes
Expert Optical Design & Optimization Services
Precision Manufacturing & Assembly
Space Applications of Avantier Optics
Advanced Capabilities and Technologies for Space Optics
Other Related Components
Partner with Avantier for Optical Systems for Space

1. Advanced Optical Components for Space

Avantier designs and manufactures high-performance optical components engineered for demanding space missions, satellite imaging, astronomy, defense systems, and advanced research. Our capabilities span ultra-lightweight mirrors, large-aperture optics, off-axis parabolic mirrors, optical domes, and precision filters, all optimized for stability, accuracy, and thermal resilience

Ultra-Lightweight Mirrors (SiC, Zerodur, Fused Silica)

Engineered to reduce payload mass while maintaining high stiffness and thermal stability—ideal for satellites, space telescopes, and imaging payloads.

Lightweight Zerodur Mirror (Product details):

Dimension and Weight	Ø150 mm × 40 mm CT, 0.5 kg
Surface Shape	≤ λ/20 @ 632.8 nm
Surface Flatness	≤ 0.05 nm
Coating	Protected Silver

Custom SiC Mirrors (Product details) :

Diameter	25–800 mm
Shapes	Flat, Spherical, Aspheric
Surface Flatness	Up to λ/100 RMS
Coatings	Al, Ag, Au, High-LDT Dielectrics

Large Aperture Optics (Up to Φ2000 mm)

Ultra-precision aspheres and large optics for astronomy, satellite imaging, high-energy lasers, remote sensing, and metrology. Product Details

Aspherical Mirrors

Diameter	Φ10–Φ2000 mm
Surface Accuracy	RMS ≤ 1/200λ
Materials	SiC, Zerodur, Fused Silica, ULE, Aluminum, H-K9L
Surface Roughness	0.2 nm

Aspherical Lenses:

Correct spherical aberration, coma & field curvature

Diameter	Φ10–Φ1000 mm
Surface Accuracy	RMS ≤ 1/200λ

Spherical Lenses

Diameter	Φ10–Φ800 mm
Accuracy	PV ≤ 1/3λ, RMS ≤ 1/200λ
Surface Quality	60/40 to 10/5

Flat Mirrors

Stability for calibration, alignment & laser systems

Diameter	Φ10–Φ2000 mm
Accuracy	PV ≤ 1/3λ, RMS ≤ 1/200λ

Off-Axis Parabolic (OAP) Mirrors

Precision OAP mirrors ideal for beam collimation, focusing, infrared systems, and high-energy optical setups. Product Details Specifications

Material	Aluminum, SiC
Surface Accuracy	1/10λ RMS
Surface Shape	1/8λ
Surface Quality	60/40
Coatings	Enhanced Aluminum, Protected Gold, UV-Enhanced Aluminum

Optical Domes (Fused Silica, Sapphire, Germanium, ZnSe)

High-strength domes designed for star trackers, optical sensors, missile guidance, and spaceborne imaging. Product Details Key Specs

Surface Accuracy	1/10–1λ
Dimensional Tolerance	±0.1 mm
Surface Quality	20/10 to 60/40
Clear Aperture	≥ 90%
Coatings	AR coatings available across UV–LWIR

Optical Filters & Coatings

Custom filters and coatings engineered for multispectral, hyperspectral, UV, VIS, NIR, SWIR, MWIR, and LWIR space applications. Capabilities:

IAD E-Beam, IBS coating technologies
Bandpass, narrowband, longpass, shortpass, and beam-splitter coatings
High-durability, radiation-resistant coatings for spaceflight

Why Avantier for Space Optics?

Advanced finishing: CNC polishing, IBF, MRF
Rigorous optical metrology: Interferometry, profilometry, CGH testing
Athermal designs for extreme environments

Proven performance in satellite imaging, space telescopes, laser systems, LiDAR, guidance, and metrology

2. Specialized Space Telescopes

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

Feature	RC Telescopes	SiC Telescopes
Type	Cassegrain Telescope	Rich-Cleven type Telescope
Material	Zerodur, ULE, SiC and Aluminum	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.

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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