Imaging with multi-aperture optical telescopes and an application

The two main types of Multi-Aperture Optical Telescopes (MAOTs) (so-called Michelson and Fizeau) and the two possible modes of optical beam combinatio n are reviewed. Wide-field imaging with a Michelson instrument is studied a nd the constraints are identified. An example of application to Earth obser vation is given. Then. we address the optimization of the aperture configur ation, a key issue in the design of a MAOT. We also stress the image restor ation, a necessary component of such an instrument because of the shape of its point spread function. Finally, a MAOT seems to be a promising technica l solution for high resolution Earth observation from Space on a high orbit such as a geostationary one. (C) 2001 Academie des sciences/Editions scien tifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.