The present disclosure is directed to an optical adapter for an optical scope. The optical scope includes a tube defining a conduit. The optical adapter is coupled to an end of the tube. The optical adapter defines a proximate end and a distal end. The optical adapter includes a casing defining a longitudinal direction. The casing includes a first wall and a second wall, in which the first wall and the second wall define a first viewing port therebetween. The second wall defines a second viewing port. The optical adapter further includes a hinge coupled to the first wall, a reflecting lens defining a first end separated from a second end in the longitudinal direction, in which the first end is coupled to the hinge, and an actuator coupled to the first wall and to the second end of the reflecting lens. The actuator pivots the reflecting lens about the hinge from a retracted position adjacent to the first wall to an extended position toward the second wall.

The present disclosure is directed to an optical adapter for an optical scope. The optical scope includes a tube defining a conduit. The optical adapter is coupled to an end of the tube. The optical adapter defines a proximate end and a distal end. The optical adapter includes a casing defining a longitudinal direction. The casing includes a first wall and a second wall, in which the first wall and the second wall define a first viewing port therebetween. The second wall defines a second viewing port. The optical adapter further includes a hinge coupled to the first wall, a reflecting lens defining a first end separated from a second end in the longitudinal direction, in which the first end is coupled to the hinge, and an actuator coupled to the first wall and to the second end of the reflecting lens. The actuator pivots the reflecting lens about the hinge from a retracted position adjacent to the first wall to an extended position toward the second wall.

A freeform surface optical telescope imaging system is provided. The freeform surface optical telescope imaging system comprises a primary mirror, a secondary mirror, a compensating mirror, and a spherical mirror. The primary mirror, the secondary mirror, the compensating mirror, and the spherical mirror are spaced from each other. A surface shape of each of the primary mirror and the secondary mirror is a quadric surface. The primary mirror is used as an aperture stop. A surface shape of the compensating mirror is a freeform surface. A surface shape of the spherical mirror is a spherical surface. A light emitted from a light source would be reflected by the primary mirror, the secondary mirror, the compensating mirror, and the spherical mirror to form an image on an image plane.

A freeform surface optical telescope imaging system is provided. The freeform surface optical telescope imaging system comprises a primary mirror, a secondary mirror, a compensating mirror, and a spherical mirror. The primary mirror, the secondary mirror, the compensating mirror, and the spherical mirror are spaced from each other. A surface shape of each of the primary mirror and the secondary mirror is a quadric surface. The primary mirror is used as an aperture stop. A surface shape of the compensating mirror is a freeform surface. A surface shape of the spherical mirror is a spherical surface. A light emitted from a light source would be reflected by the primary mirror, the secondary mirror, the compensating mirror, and the spherical mirror to form an image on an image plane.

A space optical instrument is disclosed including a primary mirror having an optical axis and including a first face, referred to as the front face, oriented towards an observed area, and a second face opposite to the first, referred to as the rear face, the optical instrument further including a thermal stabilization device for the primary mirror, comprising a thermally conductive wall extending around the optical axis (O) on the front face side of the primary mirror towards which this face is oriented. The thermal stabilization device further includes a temperature regulating device for the circumferential wall that is capable of using the measurement of an incident heat flux on the mirror, and adapting the temperature of the circumferential wall according to the measured incident heat flux, in order to keep the front face of the mirror at a constant temperature.

A space optical instrument is disclosed including a primary mirror having an optical axis and including a first face, referred to as the front face, oriented towards an observed area, and a second face opposite to the first, referred to as the rear face, the optical instrument further including a thermal stabilization device for the primary mirror, comprising a thermally conductive wall extending around the optical axis (O) on the front face side of the primary mirror towards which this face is oriented. The thermal stabilization device further includes a temperature regulating device for the circumferential wall that is capable of using the measurement of an incident heat flux on the mirror, and adapting the temperature of the circumferential wall according to the measured incident heat flux, in order to keep the front face of the mirror at a constant temperature.

An endoscope pipe with a central, elongated observation window on the distal end, whereby several light outlet openings for fiberoptic end surfaces are positioned close to the observation window for illuminating the angle area observed through the observation window and the light outlet openings are positioned asymmetrically in relation to the longitudinal extension of the observation window and/or the fiberoptic end surfaces are held in the light outlet openings in such a way that light is beamed from the fiberoptic end surfaces into the angle area in various directions.

An endoscope pipe with a central, elongated observation window on the distal end, whereby several light outlet openings for fiberoptic end surfaces are positioned close to the observation window for illuminating the angle area observed through the observation window and the light outlet openings are positioned asymmetrically in relation to the longitudinal extension of the observation window and/or the fiberoptic end surfaces are held in the light outlet openings in such a way that light is beamed from the fiberoptic end surfaces into the angle area in various directions.

A method for acquiring an image of a celestial body, including: using an apparatus including a hollow body into which light rays originating from the observed celestial body penetrate, arranging, in the hollow body, an optical system having an optical axis, the optical system configured so that the light rays form, in an image focal region, an image of the observed celestial body, arranging in the hollow body at least first and second matrix arrays of optical sensors configured to acquire the image of the celestial body formed in the image focal region, where the matrix arrays are of different designs suitable for observing celestial bodies of different natures, selecting one of the matrix arrays and placing it in the image focal region, the other matrix array remaining outside of the image focal region, the matrix array being selected depending on the nature of the observed celestial body.

A satellite with a primary imaging mirror fabricated while in space is described. The primary mirror is formed by solidifying liquid precursor material which assumes a paraboloid shape upon certain rotational maneuvers of the satellite. The primary mirror is preferably formed from a molten metal which creates a rigid paraboloid primary mirror upon solidification. The mirror material can be pre-melted prior to launch and carried to orbit while liquid, or it can be stored as a solid and melted in space to create the mirror.