Astronomy, Defense and Space

Solutions for challenging optical communication, astronomical observation, defense, and  space situational awareness.

wavefront sensing and adaptive optics solutions that directly support defense, space, and astronomy markets

Imagine Optic delivers wavefront sensing and adaptive optics solutions that directly support defense, space, and astronomy markets. We provide optical ground support equipment to help  with precise characterization, alignment, and testing of space optical components and subsystems. Our adaptive optics systems correct atmospheric aberrations to enhance the performance of free‑space optical communication links and enable space situational awareness. In addition, we test the quality of airborne pods protective windows through advanced characterization and testing, while also addressing the specific challenges of high‑power laser applications and environmental conditions.

Wavefront sensing OGSE solution for space optical component testing, alignment and subsystem verification

Optical Ground Support Equipment (OGSE)


Imagine Optic has extensive experience in space optical components and subsystem testing, alignment. Our high-performance wavefront sensing solutions perfectly meet the demanding requirements of space and defense applications, and our in-house optical, mechanical and software engineering departments enable us to provide expert support and customized implementations.

Adaptive optics system for free space optical communication improving fiber coupling efficiency and link throughput

Free space optics & Satcom


The channel data rate is limited by the atmospheric turbulences. Adaptive Optics is the ideal tool to get the highest coupling efficiency on the fiber input. It then allows coherent detection and higher throughput. Our CIAO SWIR is the ideal tool to connect to your OGS and optimize your link.

Adaptive optics correction for space situational awareness enabling diffraction-limited imaging of orbital debris

Observation & Space situational awareness


The number of debris in space increases. The knowledge of their position, shape and behavior is a key to prevent satellites collisions. From ground, these measurements are limited by the air turbulences. Our CIAO VIS allows to get rid of this effect and allows to get diffraction limited images of these objects.

Adaptive optics with deformable mirror and wavefront sensor for directed energy laser beam focusing and control

Directed Energy Weapons

Drones are becoming the most important threat on a battlefield. Our strong knowledge in adaptive optics and our components such as deformable mirrors and wavefront sensors are the key factors to ensure the best laser focalization on the target.

Wavefront metrology system for airborne pod protective windows testing plane-parallel optics in VIS NIR and SWIR

Airborne pod protective windows

Discover our instruments that optimally combine an illumination platform with our wavefront sensing technologies making them ideal for the testing of large plane parallel optics: characterization at any wavelength in the VIS, NIR, SWIR, exclusive patented method to avoid back surface reflection limitations, testing before and after coating and throughout the manufacturing steps.

Compact wavefront sensing platform for environmental testing of optics in vacuum and thermal chambers

Environmental testing

Imagine Optic has developed compact, lightweight illumination platforms that are easy to mount and align in front of optics and systems placed in vacuum and thermal chambers. Shack Hartmann technology, robust to vibrations and atmospheric turbulence simplifies implementation. And if necessary, our vacuum-compatible wavefront sensors can operate in the vacuum chamber!

CIAO VIS adaptive optics for telescope alignment and diffraction-limited astronomy imaging through turbulence

Astronomy

All telescopes suffer from bad alignment and for the largest, from the effect of air turbulence. Our CIAO VIS has been designed to change your telescope to a perfect optical system and then create diffraction limited images on the camera or the highest coupling efficiency in a single mode fiber for spectroscopy and interferometry.

Applications
+ Optical characterization of components & systems In transmission (WFE)
+ Optical characterization of components & systems in reflection (SFE)
+ Optical alignment of payloads, optical instruments and satellite telescopes
+ Temperature, Vacuum Compatibility
+ Abberation correction
+ Target Tracking

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