Study of infrared optical payloads to be integrated in a nanosat

Nanosats or CubeSats are emerging technologies corresponding to miniaturized satellites with a wet mass between 1 and 10kg. In this study, we explored the possibility of doing earth observation in the longwave infrared. The challenge is to integrate the longest focal length as possible in a 2U volume dedicated to the optical payload. Another challenge is to use a low cost, lightweight and low power consumption microbolometer which requires high apertures optics. For these volumes, there is a competition between refractive designs, often more compact when having high apertures, and reflective designs, having a lower mass and being easily athermalized. The choice is not obvious and we studied a telephoto refractive design and an off-axis Three Mirror Anastigmat (TMA) reflective design. The key technology for the telephoto design is the use of chalcogenide glasses whereas the key technology for the TMA is the use of freeform surfaces.