Abstract

Since the very beginning of space exploitation, optical payloads (or space optics) have been core tools of observing the space and the earth. Development of optical payloads requires multi-disciplinary knowledge including physics (specially optics), mechanical engineering, material science & electrical engineering, and some manufacturing processes. In addition, developers of the space optics should have certain amount of knowledge of satellite subsystems, orbital dynamics and space/launch environments. This talk gives the background & principles involved in the development of the space optics. Furthermore the talk also presents brief introductions of major applications of the space optics; space telescope & earth observation (remote sensing) payloads.