Three reflection telescopes for wide field space astronomy. First results from a 30 cm prototype and prospects

We present the basic concepts of the two-mirror, three-reflection optical s ystem (2MTRT), and discuss the important benefits of such a system for spac e projects: wide (similar to 2 degrees) corrected and unvignetted FOV, with out the use of refractive optics for the field correction, planarity of the focal surface for an optimized installation of wide area detectors, easy t elescope adjustement, small volume and little mass. We also report the resu lts of optical tests made with a 30 cm prototype, equipped with a 2k x 2k C CD camera, and give examples of scientific programmes which can be performe d from space and in hostile terrestrial sites such as the Antarctic Plateau .