Space Optical Instrumentation

A special issue of Aerospace (ISSN 2226-4310). This special issue belongs to the section "Astronautics & Space Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 64

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
NETPark Research Institute, Centre for Advanced Instrumentation, Durham University, Joseph Swan Road, Sedgefield TS21 3FB, UK
Interests: space optical instrumentation; astronomical optical instrumentation; hyperspectral imaging; single diamond point diamond turning

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centre for Advanced Instrumentation, Durham University, Joseph Swan Road, Sedgefield TS21 3FB, UK
Interests: space optical instrumentation; hyperspectral imaging; earth remote sensing; optical communications

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Center for Optics and Photonics, National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand, AstroPark, 260 Moo 4 Donkaew, Mae Rim, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Interests: space optical instrumentation; astronomical optical instrumentation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With the increasing accessibility of launches, space instrumentation is developing at a rapid pace. This Special Issue aims to highlight recent advances in space optical instrumentation across all types of applications. We are particularly interested in contributions on the latest optical payload developments, novel optical components (free-space or integrated), and optical systems that make Earth Observation and communication more precise and accessible. Contributions on instruments pointing to Earth, other satellites, or deep-space targets are all welcome.

Original research contributions are welcome in the following areas:

  • In-orbit systems, developments, or mission proposals, including the following:
    • Earth Observation payloads;
    • Free-space optical communication terminals;
    • Broadband exploration of the Solar System;
    • Space telescopes for astronomy;
    • Nanosat/CubeSat/Small Sat instrumentation;
    • Adaptive and active optics;
    • Deployable telescopes;
    • Payloads such as spectrometers, imagers, coronagraphs, magnetographs, and polarimeters;
    • Rovers;
    • Plasma and particle sensors;
    • Challenges, current limitations, and strategies to overcome them.
  • Optical ground support equipment, calibration, assembly, integration, and testing.
  • Novel optical components and manufacturing/testing processes, including (but not limited to) the following:
    • Freeform optics;
    • Metalenses;
    • Atmospheric dispersion compensators;
    • Diffraction gratings;
    • New materials;
    • Diffractive optical elements.

Dr. Cyril Bourgenot
Dr. Christopher Graham
Dr. Supachai Awiphan
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Aerospace is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • earth observation (EO)
  • freespace optical communications (FSOC)
  • optics
  • imagers
  • spectrometers
  • freeform optics

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Published Papers

This special issue is now open for submission.
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