Space Telescopes: Optical Design Principles
Introduction: Space Telescopes as Humanity’s Optical Interface to the Universe
Space telescopes represent the pinnacle of modern optical and aerospace engineering. By operating beyond Earth’s atmosphere, they eliminate atmospheric absorption, turbulence, and thermal noise, enabling the detection of extremely faint electromagnetic signals from deep space. In this sense, a space telescope functions as humanity’s interstellar optical eye, extending observational reach toward the origin, structure, and evolution of the universe. From early missions to state-of-the-art observatories such as the Hubble Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope, space telescopes differ significantly in optical architecture, structural design, and system-level trade-offs. These differences are not arbitrary; they reflect deliberate engineering responses to mission objectives, wavelength bands, and the extreme constraints of the space environment. This article provides a system-level technical overview of space telescopes from three perspectives: