Versatile space telescope
View Patent ↗A versatile space telescope for quantum key distribution and adapted for interfacing with a spacecraft and an instrument module. The telescope includes diamond turned aluminum mirrors at its entrance and exit, adjacent the spacecraft and instrument module, respectively.
1. A versatile space telescope adapted for interfacing with a spacecraft and an instrument module, comprising:
a. an aluminum barrel shaped body having a longitudinal optical axis and a proximal end adapted for positioning adjacent the spacecraft via a plurality of threaded holes for capturing a support structure secured to the spacecraft and a distal end adapted for positioning adjacent the instrument module;
b. a first diamond turned, aspheric aluminum mirror having an entrance pupil and positioned adjacent the distal end of the barrel shaped body and sharing the longitudinal optical axis;
c. a second diamond turned, aspheric aluminum mirror creating an exit pupil and positioned adjacent the proximal end of the barrel shaped body and sharing the longitudinal optical axis;
d. at least one heater integrated with the barrel shaped body to provide thermal control;
e. a hex plate attached to the barrel shaped body, positioned in longitudinally spaced relation from the first mirror and sharing the longitudinal optical axis;
f. a plano-convex aspheric lens supported by the hex plate and positioned along the longitudinal optical axis; and
g. a plurality of flexures interconnecting the hex plate to the first mirror.
2. The versatile space telescope according to claim 1 , wherein the hex plate comprises a plurality of apertures formed therethrough and that provide a means for interconnecting the instrument module to the telescope.
3. The versatile space telescope according to claim 1 , wherein an optical surface of the second mirror is convex hyperbola.
4. The versatile space telescope according to claim 1 , wherein an optical surface of the first mirror is concave ellipse.
5. The versatile space telescope according to claim 1 , further comprising a lens support member secured to the hex plate and extending along the longitudinal optical axis.
6. The versatile space telescope according to claim 1 , wherein the lens comprises an aspheric surface defined by Q-polynomial.