ABSTRACT
The most important performance specifications for a mirror are associated with the shape of and position of its optical surface. Secondary specifications include cost, weight, and technical risk. The design of a mirror and its mount requires balancing performance with other considerations. Simple approximate closed-form solutions are a useful means of rapidly evaluating performance during conceptual design. Following selection of conceptual designs, more detailed analysis methods, such as the finite-element method, can be used to more accurately determine performance.
