The work of the S. I. Vavilov State Optical Institute in the creation of space objectives

This paper presents an analysis of the evolution of space optics at the S. I. Vavilov State Optical Institute, from the first lens objectives to modern mirror systems. Attention is paid to the work of the school of optical material science created at the Institute, without which the development of special materials for space optics would be impossible. The main directions of evolution and new optical technologies in modern space-related optical instrumentation are presented. (c) 2007 Optical Society of America.