Ritchey Chrétien Telescope Design Challenges

The Ritchey-Chrétien (RC) telescope, a specialized variant of the Cassegrain optical system, is renowned for its advanced design. With hyperbolic primary mirrors and secondary mirrors, this telescope eliminates off-axis optical errors (coma) and chromatic aberration, offering a wide field of view and exceptional image quality. However, designing and manufacturing RC telescopes poses significant challenges, particularly for space applications. This article explores these challenges and the innovative solutions employed to overcome them.

1. Optical Fabrication Challenges

The Challenge:

• Hyperbolic Surfaces: RC telescopes require precisely fabricated hyperbolic mirrors, demanding extreme precision.
• Surface Accuracy: Achieving nanometer-level accuracy is critical for diffraction-limited performance. 

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