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Goddard Engineering and Technology Directorate

Optical Design and Modeling

An automated “freeform optics” design tool used during proposal studies for space flight instrumentation.
An automated “freeform optics” design tool used during proposal studies for space flight instrumentation.

Comprehensive Optical Design and Modeling for Scientific Instrument Development

The Engineering and Technology Directorate (ETD) supports all phases of scientific and optical instrument development, beginning with optical design. Our optical designers collaborate with scientists and other stakeholders to define system-level requirements and create optical designs that support proposal efforts and project oversight. As the flight project progresses, optical modeling activities expand to include tolerancing, radiometry, physical optics, and stray light analysis.

Integrated modeling plays a critical role in specifying, verifying, and validating the system and its components throughout assembly, alignment, testing, and optical performance verification — both before flight and during the commissioning phase.

Image showing the isometric view of a geometrical ray trace layout for a potential, future, large, segmented telescope with an off-axis, unobscured entrance pupil (e.g., one concept for the Habitable Worlds Observatory). This is the type of novel work by the Optical Design Group.
Image showing the isometric view of a geometrical ray trace layout for a potential, future, large, segmented telescope with an off-axis, unobscured entrance pupil (e.g., one concept for the Habitable Worlds Observatory). This is the type of novel work by the Optical Design Group.

Design and modeling engineers are vital contributors to Goddard Space Flight Center’s digital engineering transformation, working closely with mechanical and thermal teams to develop digital twins during the integration of spaceflight instrumentation.

Optical Design and Modeling is managed by ETD’s Instrument Systems and Technology Division (ISTD). Contact ISTD for more information.