Status and Trends of the Large Aperture Space Optical Remote Sensor

Aiming at catching up with the leading countries, this paper gives the right development direction of large aperture optical remote sensor in China. Firstly, we introduced the current situation of large aperture remote sensors using traditional and new imaging systems. Then we summarized the monolithic and deployable remote sensors with full range spectra and high spectrum resolution are the future main development trends. Furthermore, we discussed the key technologies include large aperture lightweight monolithic reflective mirror, active support, precise deployment, co-phasing in orbit, fabrication of large aperture membrane diffractive optics element (DOE) and high performance imaging processing technology of interferometric imaging system. Finally, we conclude China should give more attention to the large aperture monolithic and deployable optical remote sensors, and tackle the key technology in 1.5m~3m aperture monolithic remote sensors at first step and 4m aperture monolithic and the deployable remote sensors next.