Space Optics Instrument Design & Technology 2026
31 May - 5 June 2026
Colonna Resort Porto Cervo
Sardinia
About the course
The European Space Agency took in 2015 the initiative to organize a course for professionals operating in the sector of optical engineering for Space. Two types of courses are organized: one dedicated to space optics instrument design and the other space optics instrument technology. The two courses are organised alternatively, one per year. The course of 2026 is targeted to space optics technology.
The team of lecturers consists of professionals with a long standing experience in the sector. Their accessibility during the course, gives the participants a unique opportunity to deepen their knowledge with one-to-one meetings aside of the planned lectures.
The venue hosting students and lecturers gives plenty of opportunities to develop a professional network. Sharing problems and discussing solutions together is the way to build a community of space optical engineers enabling and fostering growth in the space sector as a whole.
The contracted venue is the Colonna Resort Porto Cervo, close to Olbia – Sardinia (Italy).
Keywords: course, space, optical design, freeform surfaces, aspheres, optical technologies, optical engineering, CodeV, Optical manufacturing technology, metal optics, diamond micro-machining, optical design, optical verification, grating technology, detector, polarization scrambler, slit homogenizer, stressfree optical mounting, optical communication
Registration
Registration to the course will be open at the beginning of November 2025
ESA Academy Scholarship
The ESA Education Office is pleased to offer a scholarship to one student to attend the SOIDT course. The scholarship will cover the course registration fees (directly paid by ESA Education Office) and the travel and accommodation expenses for 6 nights up to a ceiling amount of 1150 EUR (to be reimbursed via a single bank transfer after the course).
To be eligible for an ESA Academy Scholarship, students must fulfil the following criteria at the time of application:
- be minimum 18 years old;
- be a citizen of an ESA Member State, Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia or Slovenia;
- be enrolled as an M.Sc. (B.Sc. completed) or Ph.D. student in a university (not graduating before the course);
- have basic knowledge of optical engineering; [to be modified if needed]
- shall work on a project related to space optical instrumentation.
Application deadline for the ESA academy scholarship will be 29 February 2026. The application shall be sent to the organizing ESA conference bureau, supported by a checklist that addresses the above criteria, a CV, and a brief outline of the master’s or PhD project. The organisation of SOIDT will make a recommendation and shortlist for the ESA academy, which will select the student. When the selected student is confirmed, the ESA conference bureau will inform all applicants about the outcome of the selection.
Course Overview and Schedule
The 2026 course will present state-of-the-art technologies for space optical instruments providing an overview of new design, manufacturing and integration technologies. Besides other topics, there will be lectures on the new area of freeform design, definition, optimization, tolerancing and verification.
The course will be organised into two parallel classes with different content for beginners and optical experts in the CodeV lectures on Monday and Tuesday.
SOIDT - Technology 2026 curriculum
Introductory Lecture
From “Faster, Better, Cheaper” to “New Space” – Luca Maresi
A – Analysis Technology
Introduction to CodeV – Adrien Tozzoli
STOP Analysis – Pascal de Vincenzo
Straylight Correction – Matteo Taccola
B – Manufacturing Technology
Manufacturing Technologies for Space Optics – Roland Geyl
Metal Optics Technology – Matthias Beier
C – Freeform Technology
Freeform Definition, Optimization, Tolerancing and Verification – Ulrike Fuchs
Freeform Manufacturing and Metrology – Ulrike Fuchs
D – Component Technology
Grating Fabrication Technologies – Uwe Zeitner
Detector Technology – Kyriaki Minoglou
E – Integration Technology
Lens Mounting – Gregory Lousberg
Stressfree Optical Mounting Technology – Erik Beckert
F – Optical Communication Technology
Optical Communication – principle and optical terminal design – Zoran Sodnik
G – Management
Impact of Project Choices for building an optical space instrument – Christoph Kuechel
Hands-on Activity
Design, Manufacturing and Verification of a triplet lens – Volker Kirschner, Bernd Harnisch
Lecturer and Lecture Abstracts
Luca Maresi,
MSc. Theor. Physics
>
Position: ESA/ESTEC – retired
Lecturing: Fast, Cheaper, Better and New Space
Luca was the Lead Optical Engineer in the Mechanical Department in the Technical Directorate. He worked for 12 years in space industry before joining the Agency, where he led the Optics Section from 2013 until 2021. Luca has been the chairman of the Symposium on Small Satellite Systems and Services since 2004, anticipating the evolution of this sector. With his vision and creative mindset, he is the mastermind behind groundbreaking projects that brought European industry to compete in the small satellite arena and, more recently, in New Space. Luca has left the Agency in 2025 and he now working as freelancer in the field of technology management and innovation.
cv
2021 – 2025: Lead Optical Engineer – Mechanical Dept. at ESA/ESTEC
2013 – 2021: Head of the Optics Section – Mechanical Dept. at ESA/ESTEC
2006 – 2013 Senior Optical System Engineer – Optics Section at ESA/ESTEC
2001 – 2006 Systems Engineer – Directorate of Industrial Matter and Technology at ESA/ESTEC
1996 – 2001 Senior Optical System Engineer – Space Division at Terma A/S – Denmark
1990 – 1996 Optical System Engineer – Space and Optics Division at Leonardo (formerly Officine Galileo) – Italy
1989 – 1990 System Engineer at Field Data – Italy
1989 Laurea in Physics – University of Milan
Fast, Cheaper, Better and New Space
In this opening speech, Luca Maresi will address the ever-changing development approach of small sats. From the Dan Goldin mantra of the nineties “Faster, Cheaper, Better” to nowadays New Space, driven by venture capitalists, interested in quick time to market and Return on Investments. Small satellites were at their dawn in the early nineties, when universities and space newcomers gained access to space thanks to the lower costs of small satellites. This period coincides with significant budget cuts of US expenditure for space. Dan Goldin, the NASA administrator from 1992 to 2001, initiated a revolution to transform America’s aeronautics and space program. Despite lower budgets, his Faster, Cheaper, Better approach has enabled NASA to deliver programs of high value. Since than the Faster, Cheaper, Better has remained as the mantra of small satellites. In more recent years, thanks to the maturity of space technology and lower cost of launcher, space has received the attention of venture capitalists. Start-ups have been formed to launch and operate satellites with a very aggressive schedule and low budget. How the Dan Goldin’s mantra “faster, cheaper, better” has impacted the way space systems are designed, manufactured, and tested? Is New Space, a declination of the Dan Goldin mantra? What is the impact of new space on the process of deploying new space systems? Luca Maresi, with his experience of more than 35 years on small satellites, will address the above questions and present real-life experience of projects that responded to the needs Dan Goldin mantra and new space.
Adrien Tozzoli, MSc. Optical Engineering
>
Position at Synopsys: CodeV Application Engineer
Lecturing: Introduction to CodeV, Freeform design optimization with CodeV
Adrien Tozzoli has been working as Application Engineer at Synopsys since November 2019. As a member of the technical support team for the optical design software CODE V, he is responsible for pre-sales activities, technical support and software trainings.
Before that, Adrien used to work at Airbus Defence and Space, for about four years, as an Optical Engineer conducting stray light analyses to evaluate thermal self-emission on the MetImage project.
During Adrien’s apprenticeship at the Institut d’Optique Graduate School he worked as an optical design engineer on the development of ultra-panoramic IR low-cost imager systems.
cv
2019-present: CODE V Application Engineer at Synopsys, Germany
2016-2019: Optical Engineer at Airbus Defence and Space, Germany
2016-2016: Optical Engineer at Scoptique, Germany
2013-2015: Optical designer in apprenticeship at CSTB, France
2012-2015: Student at Institut d’Optique Graduate School (IOGS), France
Introduction to CodeV
This lecture will be a hands-on induction to CodeV optimization and tolerancing analysis features. After a short introduction to CodeV, we will discuss optimization techniques and apply them to simple optical systems (singlet, doublet). We will then cover the basic of tolerancing theory and its implementation within CodeV. Finally, we will present desensitization techniques and an inverse tolerancing example.
Freeform design optimization with CodeV
Freeform surfaces can represent an efficient solution to reduce system’s aberrations, while offering at the same time significant benefits and cost savings. In this lecture, we will briefly introduce freeforms and discuss the models available in CodeV. Then, we will do a practical example to show how freeform surfaces can be used to improve the optical performance of a telescope, as well as decrease its size.
Roland Geyl, MSc. Optical Engineer
>
Position: President GEYL Optical Consulting and FO-RS Association
Lecturing: Introduction to Optical Manufacturing Technologies
Roland GEYL is an Optical Engineer graduated from Paris Orsay Institute of Optics. For more than four decades he contributed to most of the space projects at SAFRAN – REOSC either as lens designer, manufacturing and testing engineer, program manager, sales manager and plant director. He conducted various research in advanced optical systems and freeform optics and predesigned the SAFRAN SEEING offer of high performance payloads for nanosatellites. Today retired, he is offering consultancy services and acting as president of the French freeform optics association FO-RS.
cv
2023-Today President Geyl Optical Consulting
2019-Today President Freeform Optics – Research & Solution Association (FO-RS) in France
2013 – 2022 SAFRAN-Reosc, France, Sales, marketing & Business Devt, Emeritus Expert
1999 – 2012 Sagem-Reosc, France, Sales Manager & Safran Emeritus Expert in High performance optics
1981 – 1998 Reosc, France, Lens design & Engineering / Optical manufacturing & Testing/ Program management / Division Manager )
1976 – 1979 Study at Ecole Superieure d’Optique (Major of promotion)
1982 – 2002 lecturer of Lens Design course at the Ecole Supérieure d’Optique, Paris-Orsay
Manufacturing Technologies for Space Optics – Roland Geyl
We will review in this course module the subject of precision optical manufacturing for space optics. After first detailing what is a ‘good’ optical surface and doing a brief historical overview, we will present the generic optical manufacturing process and then review the various technologies dedicated to the production of quality optical surface. Glass, metal and ceramic will be addressed. Grinding-lapping-polishing is the main subject but other techniques like replication, single point diamond turning and material deposition technique will also be addressed. The typical defects of optical surfaces, their impacts and prevent/repairs actions will be reviewed to support student future real life.
Matthias Beier
PhD Engineering
>
Position: CEO & Co-Founder at SPACEOPTIX
Lecturing: Metal Optics
Matthias graduated from Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena with a PhD in Optical Engineering, working on the development and fabrication of optical imaging systems based on metallic mirrors. After leading a research group at Fraunhofer IOF for ultra-precise fabrication and metrology processes for high-quality metal optical systems for space and astronomy, he co-founded SPACEOPTIX GmbH as a spin-off from the Fraunhofer institute in 2020 and is currently leading the company as CEO. His interests include optical manufacturing and testing technologies as well as system engineering aspects, with a special interest in freeform optical systems. He was and is currently involved in the development and realization of numerous optical systems for commercial and scientific space applications and terrestrial telescopes.
cv
2020 – today CEO and Co-Founder of Fraunhofer spin-off SPACEOPTIX
2018 – 2020 Group Leader Ultraprecision Manufacturing and Freeform Optics at Fraunhofer IOF, Jena, Germany
2017 Research Scientist on EUV Optics Manufacturing at Carl Zeiss SMT, Oberkochen, Germany
2012 – 2017 Dr.-Ing. (PhD) in Technical Physics at Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Germany
2010 – 2011 Studies of Precision Engineering at Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain
2006 – 2012 Dipl.-Ing. in Electrical and Precision Engineering at Technical University of Dresden, Germany
Metal Optics
High-quality metallic mirrors satisfy many needs that modern space optical instruments require: high degrees of light-weighting, complex aspheric and freeform geometries at comparable low manufacturing costs and high production volume, and integrated functionalities for simplified metrology and system assembly. The lecture focuses on technologies needed to realize metal optics for applications ranging from XUV to IR and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of metallic mirror substrates within space instruments. A major emphasis is put on techniques required to realize freeform optics in metallic substrates, namely diamond micromachining and sub-aperture polishing processes, ultra-precise mechanical references and integrated metrology fiducials, and snap-together system concepts. Finally, guidelines and hints for the design and fabrication of metal optical systems will be given on the hand of past and current space missions.
Ulrike Fuchs
PhD Physics
>
Position: Vice President Strategy & Innovation at asphericon
Lecturing: Freeform Definition, Optimization, Tolerancing and Verification
After joining asphericon in 2010 Dr. Fuchs focused early on linking manufacturing of aspherics and metrology with questions in optical design. With her team she also works on concepts that allow better prediction of system performance during optical design and tolerancing processes. Recently, great emphasis is put on transferring those ideas to freeform optics. As Vice President Strategy & Innovation she now coordinates all R&D activities at asphericon as well as strategic product development. She has already been able to register 6 patent families and is the inaugural winner of the Kevin P. Thompson Optical Design Innovator Award. Furthermore, she has been working as an Associated Editor for Optics Express since April 2018 and is the author of more than 60 publications. She holds a doctorate in physics from the Friedrich Schiller University of Jena.
cv
2023-25 OPTICA Fellow and Board member
since 2021 OPTICA Fellow
since 08/2018 Vice President Strategy & Innovation at asphericon
since 08/2012 Head of Applications Department at asphericon
06/2010 – 08/2012 Head of Optical Design Group at asphericon
since 2013 Guest Lecturer at the Ernst-Abbe-University of Applied Science Jena
11/2004 – 06/2010 Research Associate Fraunhofer IOF, Jena Germany
01/2010 – 12/2010 Assistant Lecturer at Abbe School of Photonics, FSU Jena
Freeform Optics – Design and Applications
This course will be given at two different levels. The basic level will introduce aspheric optics and their applications, giving a short introduction on freeform optics. The more advanced level will give an overview on freeform optical systems based on real world examples. Special emphasis will be on aspects as ISO 10110 and manufacturability.
Freeform Manufacturing and Metrology
This course continues with the topics of “Freeform Optics – Design and Applications ” putting great emphasis on reviewing metrology devices and correlating this with ISO 10110. Therefore, this course will also be given at two different levels.
Matteo Taccola
Msc Physics
>
Position: Optical engineer at ESA/ESTEC
Lecturing: Straylight Correction
cv
2008 – present: ESTEC Optical engineer and Instrument engineer
2000 – 2008: Optical engineer at Officine Galileo (now Leonardo Company)
1995 – 2000: study of Physics at University of Florence
Straylight Correction
The topic of the lecture is straylight correction. Basic concepts of straylight such as ghosts and scattering will be recalled together with a discussion of effects that can be ‘easily’ corrected and effects that are not correctable.
Algorithms for correction will be discussed addressing requirements for instrument modelling and test activities, efficiency of correction and computational effort.
Examples based on actual space missions will be provided
Uwe Zeitner,
PhD Physics
>
Position: Senior Director Opto-Mechanical Systems at Fraunhofer IOF, Professor for Technical Optics at Munich University of Applied Sciences
Lecturing: Grating Fabrication Technologies
Worked at the Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Germany, in the field of fabrication of micro-optical elements and systems by e-beam lithography and resonator internal laser beam shaping. Since 1999 he is with the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering (IOF), Jena, where he is currently member of the Scientific Board and responsible for space projects.
Uwe Zeitner’s field of research is the development of micro- and nano-technological solutions for optical applications enabled by fundamental research in various fields. He has a strong background in the development of high-performance gratings for applications like laser pulse compression or space-borne spectroscopy for missions like GAIA, Sentinel-4/5, FLEX, or CarbonSat.
cv
since 2025 CSZ Endowed Professor for Micro- and Nanooptical Hybrid Systems, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena
2022- 2025 Professor for Technical Optics, Munich University of Applied Sciences
since 2020 Senior Director Opto-Mechanical Systems, Fraunhofer IOF Jena
2017 – 2019 Head of Micro-Optical Systems Department, Fraunhofer IOF Jena
2011 – 2016 Head of workgroup „Fabrication technologies for advanced Micro and Nano-Optics“, ZIK UltraOptics, Institute of Applied Physics, University Jena
2008 Habilitation in Experimental Physics, University Jena
2006 – 2016 Head of „Center for Advanced Micro- and Nano-Optics“, Fraunhofer IOF Jena
2004 – 2006 Head of workgroup „Fundamentals“, Fraunhofer IOF Jena
1999 PhD in Resonator internal laser beam shaping at University Jena
since 1999 Scientist at Fraunhofer IOF Jena
1995 – 1998 Scientist, Institute of Applied Physics, University Jena
1990 – 1995 study of Physics at Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena
Grating Fabrication Technologies – Uwe Zeitner
Gratings are key components in space-borne spectrometers for earth observation and scientific missions. Their optical properties determine the achievable spectral resolution and signal quality of the instrument. Based on the specific requirements of contemporary spectrometers an overview of state-of-the-art fabrication technologies for the required high-end optical gratings will be given. This includes methods like ruling, holography, and direct write lithographic structuring. Their potential and limitations for the realization of a desired grating profile and related properties like high polarization independent diffraction efficiencies and good wave-front qualities will be discussed. Special emphasis will be given to recent insights into the stray-light characteristics of gratings and related theoretical models. Different examples of gratings tailored for specific ESA space missions like GAIA, Sentinel-4/5, CarbonSat, or DESIS will be shown.
Gregory Lousberg
MSc. Physical Engineering
PhD
>
Position: Head of Engineering at Advanced Mechanical and Optical Systems (AMOS)
Lecturing: Spectrometer, Hands-on application
Gregory Lousberg is the Head of Engineering at Advanced Mechanical and Optical Systems (AMOS), Liege, Belgium. AMOS is a subsidiary of Aerospacelab (BE) and focuses on the design & manufacturing of opto-mechanical systems for ground-based astronomy and spaceborne instruments. Gregory was involved in the development of space instruments and ground-based telescopes. In particular, he worked as lead system engineer for
– Back Telescope Assembly (MTG-S)
– GESTA, an OGSE for the IRS performance and calibration tests (MTG-S)
– FLEX hyperspectral spectrometer (pre-development phase A/B1)
– ELOIS, a compact VIS-SWIR hyperspectral instrument for Earth observation
– CHIME hyperspectral spectrometer (Sentinels mission of the Copernicus program)
cv
2020 – 2023 AMOS, Head of System Engineering
2006 – 2010 PhD in Superconductivity, University of Liege
2000 – 2016 Master in Physical Engineering, University of Liege and Swiss Polytechnic School of Lausanne (EPFL)
Lens Mounting
The lecture aims at providing design tools and good practice rules to deal with opto-mechanical design of lens assemblies. It covers tolerance analyses of optical design involving lenses, a description of the different lens mounting techniques with pros and cons discussion, lens alignment and integration aspects and system validation approaches.
Kiriaki Minoglou, PhD Opto-electronics
>
Position: Head of Optics, Robotics and Life Science Division at ESA
Lecturing: Detector Technology
Kyriaki Minoglou has more than 20 years’ experience in space imaging payload and detector technology development. She has been for more than 10 years the technical expert in the technology roadmap definition for Visible and Infrared Detectors for Space in ESA, leading all interactions with other Space Agencies and European Industry. As the Head of the Optoelectronics Section, she managed the technical contributions to ESA technology developments for Earth Observation and Science Missions and was responsible for the coordination of the R&D activities in the fields of detectors, lasers, optical communications, photonics, lidars and quantum technologies. In her current role as Division Head she provides strategic direction to the Section Heads and teams and contribute to the definition and promotion of ESA’s technical and industrial policy in the disciplines of Optics, Optoelectronics, Robotics and Life Science.
cv
2024 – present ESA- ESTEC, Head of Optics, Robotics and Life Science Division
2014 – 2020 ESA-ESTEC, Opto-electronics Engineer
2007 – 2014 imec, Belgium, Detector Research Engineer
2002 – 2007 Department of Informatics, University of Athens, Greece, Ph.D in Optoelectronics
2001 – 2007 NCSR-Demokritos, Institute of Microelectronics, Athens, Greece, Research Engineer
2001 – 2007 Technological Educational Institute of Athens, Greece, Laboratory Teaching Assistant
2000 – 2002 Department of Informatics, University of Athens, Greece, M.Sc. in Microelectronics
1994 – 2000 Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, MEng. in Electrical Engineering
Detector Technology – Kyriaki Minoglou
The major objective of this lecture is to make the participants familiar with the different types of detectors that can be used in space instruments applications. Design, technology and characterization of detectors and the relevant topics will be discussed.
Erik Beckert, PhD Engineering
>
Position: Fraunhofer IOF Jena, Head of Department “Opto-mechatronical Components and Systems
Lecturing: Stressfree Optical Mounting Technology
Erik Beckerts works in the field of micro assembly, system integration and packaging of micro- and laser-optical systems for more than 20 years now. His experience covers components and systems such as the green laser for the EXOMARS Raman-experiment, a space-suitable entangled photon source as well as many technology studies for lens and laser bench mounting technologies.
cv
2020 – present Head of Department “Opto-mechatronical Components and Systems”, Fraunhofer IOF
2005 – 2019 Group Leader “Micro Assembly and System Integration”, Fraunhofer IOF
2005 PhD in Engineering
2001 – 2005 Engineer at Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering (IOF), Jena
1997 – 2001 Engineer at Institute for Microelectronic and Mechatronic Systems, Ilmenau
1992 – 1997 Study of Mechanical Engineering at Technical University, Ilmenau
Fraunhofer IOF Jena, Head of Department “Opto-mechatronical Components and Systems
Optics packaging Technologies for harsh environment – Erik Beckert
Not only the design, but also the packaging of optical systems is a key factor for highly performant and reliable, robust systems. This is of interest in particular in harsh environments, such as aviation and space, but also vacuum science and high power laser machining. Packaging of optical systems poses various challenges – different materials have to be joined together, components and their optical performance are stress and alignment sensitive, heat from active sources and conversion materials needs to be dissipated, and steep temperature gradients causing thermomechanical stress can occur. Well designed and optimized packaging and bonding technologies address these needs.
The talk will focus on bonding techniques for metallic and non-metallic, amorphous and crystalline materials, emphasizing on the development and application chain from bonding geometry design, optimization by simulation of stress and the resulting birefringent or laser-optical performance, and practical issues of processing and equipment when applying different bonding technologies. Specific technologies to be discussed are gluing, soft soldering by means of laser reflow, hydrophilic bonding and plasma assisted bonding as well as two-photon absorption based laser welding. The basics as well as design and parametrization of these techniques will be discussed, followed up by boundary conditions and restrictions. Examples will demonstrate the application of the different technologies in reality. Amongst them is the green laser for the Raman experiment of the upcoming 2020 ExoMars Mission, a nanosecond fiber laser for a space LIDAR and an entangled photon source for a satellite quantum payload.
Pascal de Vincenzo,
>
Position:
Lecturing: Structural-Thermal-Optical-Performance (STOP) Analysis
cv
Structural-Thermal-Optical-Performance (STOP) Analysis
Zoran Sodnik,
PhD Engineering
>
Position: Optical communication technology manager
Lecturing: Optical communication, system design and operations
Zoran Sodnik joined the European Space Agency (ESA-ESTEC) in 1993 as optical engineer in the technical directorate, responsible for managing R&D activities and supporting ESA programs (e.g., ARTEMIS, DARWIN, LISA, SMART-1, SMART-3, AIM…). He also worked in optical communications, managing the development and operations of ESA’s first optical ground station in Tenerife, Spain. In 2013 he became head of the Optoelectronics Section, dealing with technology developments of detectors, lasers, photonics systems, quantum technologies, LIDAR and optical communication systems. In 2020 he became the optical communication technology manager in the telecom directorate, supervising the implementation of the yearly ScyLight optical and quantum technology workplan.
CV
2020 – 2025 Optical communication technology manager in the telecom directorate
2013 – 2020 Head of Optoelectronic Section
1993 – 2020 Optical engineer in the Optics section
1989 – 1993 Assistant professor at Institute of Applied Optics, Stuttgart
1983 – 1989 PhD in Photo-acoustic interferometry for non-destructive material testing
1977 – 1983 Study of Technical Cybernetics at Stuttgart University
Optical communication
This lecture will start by explaining the advantages and drawbacks of optical communication technology, compared to classical radio frequency communication. Then the technology and the components of optical communication terminals will be explained as well as pointing, acquisition and tracking strategies, which are required to close an optical communication link and to start operations. This will be followed by giving examples of optical communication systems launched in space and by discussing issues and their mitigation with space to ground links when optical beams pass atmospheric turbulence. Finally, an example of a link budget calculation, the basis for the design of any optical communication system, will be given.
Christoph Kuechel,
Mechanical Engineer
>
Position: Senior Expert Optical Instruments, OHB System AG
Lecturing: Impact of project choices for building an optical space instrument, based on examples (Efficiency for Design, Procurement & AIT)
Worked for 28 years in Opt. Mechanics, for Space, Astro, Metrology, Semiconductor in Germany and US.
Was for 10 years head of Optical AIT in OHB System AG and helped to create the key concepts of optical alignment @ OHB System AG in Oberpfaffenhofen as well as building up the department. In his role also supported procurement of subsystems as well as facilities and GSE for optical AIT needs
Was/is involved in these space projects: EnMAP (DLR) and ESA: ALADIN, NIRSpec, MTG (FCI+IRS), PLATO, CHIME, FELX, CO2M, FORUM.
Commercial Space projects for Space from OHB: HIVE for constellr and Lynx for OHB
In addition to his work at OHB System AG he also supports a Munich start up on a consulting base for cube sats for wildfire Detection “Ororatech GmbH” for their IR optics needs
cv
2024-Present KUC-Engineering, Consulting
2022-Present OHB System AG, Senior Expert Optical Instruments
2012-2022 KT/OHB System AG, Head of Optical AIT
2011-2012- KT/OHB System AG, Senior Optical AIT Engineer
2007-2010 Astrium, Ottobrunn, Optical AIT Engineer
2005-2007 JenOptik, Jena, Optical Development Engineer, PM
2003-2005 Zygo, Tucson, AZ, USA, Sen. Opto-Mech Engineer
2000-2003 Zygo, Middlefield, CT, USA, Sen. Opto- Mech Engineer
1998-99 ADE Phase Shift, Tucson, AZ, USA, Opto-Mech Engineer
1997 Zeiss, Oberkochen, Optical Metrolog Engineer
Impact of project choices for building an optical space instrument, based on examples (Efficiency for Design, Procurement & AIT)
The idea behind this lecture is highlight the connection between the design, technology and AIT for a topical space instrument. No matter if for big (ESA) type or small cube sat size project the overall efficiency to design and realize an optical space instrument is getting more and more important, to reduce cost or time to market. The lecture will use a collection of examples from the experience of the lecturer over the years in different projects and companies to see the impact of project choices, in design and implementation. This shall be more a lessons learned than a cook book. It shall aid the students to create their own menu.
Volker Kirschner, MSc. Physics
>
Lecturing: Hands-on activity
Volker Kirschner is Head of the Optics Section at the European Space Agency. In his position in the TEC Directorate he supports projects regarding optical design, straylight, manufacturing of optics and testing. His experience is based on his support to MERIS, Herschel, Planck, Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-5.
cv
2021 – present Head of the Optics section
1998 – 2021 Optical Instrument Engineer at the European Space Agency, Noordwijk
1998 – 2001 Optical Engineer at Dutch Applied Research Organisation TNO, Delft
1997 – 1998 Young Graduate Trainee at the European Space Agency, Noordwijk
1996 – 1997 Research Assistant at Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Mechanics, Jena
1989 – 1996 Study of Physics at Friedrich-Schiller University Jena
Hands-on Activity
In the hands-on activity the participants will design, manufacture and test a triplet lens. Starting from a set of requirements they will perform the optical and opto-mechanical design, they will manufacture and integrate the lens. Finally they will verify the achieved performances and give a short presentation of the achieved results.
Bernd Harnisch,
PhD Physics
>
Position: SOIDT course academic programme manager
Lecturing: Spectrometer, Hands-on application
worked 23 years at the European Space Agency in the Optics section as optical engineer. During his career he was responsible for technology developments on telescopes, spectrometers and lightweight ceramic mirror materials. Further on he was supporting the following optical flight instruments: GOMOS on ENVISAT, MSG, GERB on MSG, NIRSpec for JWST, MIRI for JWST and SEOSAT.
In 2015, he co-founded the SOIDT with Luca Maresi.
cv
2015 – present SOIDT academic program responsible
1992 – 2015 ESTEC, optical engineer in the Optics section
1997 – 1992 Scientific Assistant in at Friedrich-Schiller University Jena
1985 – 1987 Academy of Sciences Jena
1981 – 1985 PhD in Holographic Interferometry at Friedrich-Schiller University Jena
1976 – 1981 study of Physics at Friedrich-Schiller University Jena
Hands-on Activity
In the hands-on activity the participants will design, manufacture and test a triplet lens. Starting from a set of requirements they will perform the optical and opto-mechanical design, they will manufacture and integrate the lens. Finally, they will verify the achieved performances and give a short presentation of the achieved results.