16 mm star tracker optic
- EFL 16 mm
- f/# 1.4
- Image Ø 6.8 mm
- Bands VIS NIR
Flight-proven
More than 100 in orbit. Supplied as optics and mechanics with a four-stage external baffle.
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Refracting lenses
Most refracting lenses in this range are close to diffraction limited over the field and spectral range they are designed for, with achromatic or apochromatic colour correction.
- 28 designs from 13 mm to 400 mm focal length, UV to LWIR.
- Some lenses suit any sensor; others are matched to colour, monochrome or NIR-sensitive sensors, as shown in the notes for each lens.
- Ruggedised and athermalised to hold their specification from at least −20 °C to +60 °C.
- Baffled to suppress glint and the washed-out image a bright source such as the sun causes in or near the field.
- Every lens is tested and supplied with its measured MTF curve. Because of manufacturing tolerances, measured MTF is typically 5 to 10% below the design curve.
Built and flown
Selected lenses with photographs and datasheets.
R27 f/5
R0275007VN
- EFL 27 mm
- f/# 5
- Image Ø 12 mm
- Bands VIS NIR
Built
A compact refracting lens built for space.
R180 f/4
- EFL 180 mm
- f/# 4
- Image Ø 12 mm
- Bands VIS NIR
Built
A refracting lens built for space.
R70 f/5 wide angle
R0705015VN
- EFL 70 mm
- f/# 5
- Image Ø 30 mm
- Bands VIS NIR
Built
Built for space. A multi-purpose wide-angle lens with a 30 mm image circle.
R400 f/5 Sumbandila camera lens
- EFL 400 mm
- f/# 5
- Image Ø 52 mm
- Bands VIS NIR
Flight-proven
Main camera optics for South Africa's Sumbandila satellite, launched in 2009.
Refracting lenses: full list
- Flight-proven
- Space-qualified
- Built
- Prototype
- Designed
- In development
| EFL (mm) | f/# | Image Ø (mm) | Bands | Status | Notes | Datasheet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 R0136004V | 6 | 6.8 | VISNIR | Not stated | Wide-field lens for gunner and commander sight | Request datasheet |
| 16 | 1.4 | 6.8 | VISNIR | Flight-proven | Built for space applications. More than 100 in orbit | Request datasheet |
| 17 | 5 | 6.8 | VISNIR | Designed | Request datasheet | |
| 20 | 1.5 | 6.8 | UVVIS | Designed | Request datasheet | |
| 21 | 1.56 | 6.8 | VISNIR | Flight-proven | Built, star camera. Several in orbit | Request datasheet |
| 25 | 1.4 | 6.4 | VISNIR | Flight-proven | Built for space applications. Several in orbit | Request datasheet |
| 25 | 5 | 7.2 | NIRSWIR | Designed | Request datasheet | |
| 27 R0275007VN | 5 | 12 | VISNIR | Built | Built for space | Request datasheet |
| 29 | 1.1 | 4 | VIS (mono) | Flight-proven | Built for space applications (monochrome). Several in orbit | Request datasheet |
| 30 | 6 | 8.8 | VISNIR | Built | Built, about 1,000 units. Gunner and commander sight | Request datasheet |
| 35 | 5 | 9.6 | VISNIR | Designed | Request datasheet | |
| 50 | 5 | 9.6 | SWIR | Designed | Request datasheet | |
| 50 | 5 | 19.2 | VIS | Built | Built. Stabilised sight with high-resolution digital zoom | Request datasheet |
| 55 | 5 | 6.8 | VIS | Designed | Request datasheet | |
| 65 | 5 | 8.8 | VISNIR | Built | Request datasheet | |
| 70 | 5 | 8 | NIR | Built | Built (a design also exists for VIS NIR) | Request datasheet |
| 70 R0705015VN | 5 | 30 | VISNIR | Built | Built for space. Multi-purpose wide angle | Request datasheet |
| 90 | 5 | 9.6 | VISNIR | Built | Built. Stabilised sight | Request datasheet |
| 100 | 1.4 | 8 | LWIR | Designed | Request datasheet | |
| 100 | 3 | 16 | NIRSWIR | Designed | Request datasheet | |
| 138 | 6 | 10 | VISNIR | Built | Built, about 1,000 units. Gunner and commander sight | Request datasheet |
| 140 | 3 | 10 | VISNIR | Designed | Request datasheet | |
| 180 | 4 | 12 | VISNIR | Built | Built for space | Request datasheet |
| 200 | 6 | 10.8 | NIR | Designed | Request datasheet | |
| 300 | 2.8 | 36 | VIS | Built | Built, for cinematography | Request datasheet |
| 327 R3275060VN | 5 | 120 | VISNIR | Designed | Designed only. 120 mm image diameter, excellent MTF | Request datasheet |
| 350 | 12 | 28 | VISNIR | Designed | Request datasheet | |
| 400 | 5 | 52 | VISNIR | Flight-proven | Built for the South African Sumbandila satellite, flown 2009 | Request datasheet |
Have a specification?
Tell us the focal length, f-number, spectral band, sensor and operating environment. We will tell you whether an existing design fits, or what a new one involves.