Study of the Optical Configuration for the HAYDN ESA Space Mission

The pursuit of new data and discoveries in observational astronomy stands as a paramount objective in unraveling the mysteries of the cosmos. The European Space Agency (ESA) has recently undertaken an inquiry to solicit proposals for their forthcoming telescope projects and space missions, a pivotal moment in the advancement of space science. Tailored for a medium class mission, this thesis work centers on the Haydn proposal, a space telescope dedicated to asteroseismology—a discipline devoted to probing the subtle pulsations of stars, offering unique insights into their internal structures and evolutionary pathways. This thesis embarks on a comprehensive analysis and reconstruction of pre-designed telescope configurations, while simultaneously exploring alternative setups for both on-axis two-mirror telescopes and three-mirror anastigmatic systems. A dual approach was employed, combining rigorous analytical calculations with precise numerical simulations using the ray-tracing software Zemax. This comprehensive methodology allowed us to explore a wide spectrum of optical design possibilities, seeking the optimal configuration that aligns seamlessly with the mission requirements.