The present disclosure is directed to a camera configured to capture a set of oblique images along a scan path on an object area; a scanning mirror structure including at least one surface for receiving light from the object area, the at least one surface having at least one first mirror portion at least one second portion comprised of low reflective material arranged around a periphery of the first mirror portion, the low reflective material being less reflective than the first mirror portion; and a drive coupled to the scanning mirror structure and configured to rotate the scanning mirror structure about a rotation axis based on a scan angle. The at least one second portion can be configured to block light that would pass around the first mirror portion and be received by the camera at scan angles beyond the set of scan angles.

A reflecting module for optical image stabilization (OIS) includes a housing; a rotation holder provided in the housing and comprising a reflecting member; a rotation plate provided in the housing between an inner wall of the housing and the rotation holder so that the rotation holder is supported by the inner wall of the housing via the rotation plate; and a driving part configured to apply a driving force to the rotation holder to move the rotation holder.

A reflecting module for optical image stabilization (OIS) includes a housing; a rotation holder provided in the housing and comprising a reflecting member; a rotation plate provided in the housing between an inner wall of the housing and the rotation holder so that the rotation holder is supported by the inner wall of the housing via the rotation plate; and a driving part configured to apply a driving force to the rotation holder to move the rotation holder.

A reflecting module for optical image stabilization (OIS) includes a housing; a rotation holder provided in the housing and comprising a reflecting member; a rotation plate provided in the housing between an inner wall of the housing and the rotation holder so that the rotation holder is supported by the inner wall of the housing via the rotation plate; and a driving part configured to apply a driving force to the rotation holder to move the rotation holder.

The present disclosure is directed to a camera configured to capture a set of oblique images along a scan path on an object area; a scanning mirror structure including at least one surface for receiving light from the object area, the at least one surface having at least one first mirror portion at least one second portion comprised of low reflective material arranged around a periphery of the first mirror portion, the low reflective material being less reflective than the first mirror portion; and a drive coupled to the scanning mirror structure and configured to rotate the scanning mirror structure about a rotation axis based on a scan angle. The at least one second portion can be configured to block light that would pass around the first mirror portion and be received by the camera at scan angles beyond the set of scan angles.

An optical element driving mechanism used for driving an optical element is provided. The optical element driving mechanism includes a fixed portion, a driving assembly, and a support assembly. The driving assembly is used for driving the optical element to move relative to the fixed portion in a first dimension. The optical element is movable relative to the fixed portion through the support assembly.

An apparatus continuously rotates an optical output about axis of rotation of the optical output. An input is centered on an optical axis of the apparatus and receives an optical input. An output is centered on the optical axis of the apparatus and provides an optical output. A group of five fixed fold mirrors is configured in a W orientation to receive the optical input and continuously rotates the optical output about the optical axis of the apparatus.

An aspect of the disclosure provides An earth observation apparatus to be carried by a moving aerial platform or satellite for obtaining images of the surface of the earth, the apparatus comprising: an optical train having an optical field of view for imaging a region of the surface of the earth and being configured to form an image of the region at an image plane; an image sensor disposed at the image plane providing an imaging field of view; a view adjuster configured to control the optical train to: provide forward motion compensation for a stare time; and to displace the image, relative to the imaging field of view, in an across-track direction in a sequence of discrete displacement steps during each stare time; wherein the image sensor comprises a plurality of active areas, each comprising an area array detector and the active areas being spaced apart by inactive areas at the image plane wherein each active area captures a frame of image data for each discrete displacement step thereby to capture a plurality of frames for each discrete displacement step and the plurality of frames captured for each discrete displacement step are displaced in the across-track direction, relative to the imaging field of view, from the plurality of frames captured for the next discrete step.

An optical element driving mechanism used for driving an optical element is provided. The optical element driving mechanism includes a fixed portion and a driving assembly. The driving assembly is used for driving the optical element to move relative to the fixed portion in a first dimension.