DEFINITION:

This area covers the basic technologies and tools needed to develop instruments and observatories and not included in another areas (as RF instruments or Optoelectronics already included in 1-H). Particularly, it includes optical system engineering.

(Source: PAE own definition based on ESA TD 16A)

SUBDOMAINS:

1. Overall Optical System Definition, Design and Engineering: Covers the definition, design and engineering of optical systems and subsystems and the conceptual definition of optical payload/instrument architectures.
2. Optical Design Performance Evaluation and Analysis: Covers evaluation and verification of optical design performances by analysis (e.g. optical models, Zemax, ASAP, CodeV) and/or testing (e.g. optics laboratory); includes evaluation of straylight and design of means for straylight suppression (e.g. baffles).