An optical telescope comprising: a steering mirror configured to receive and to redirect optical signals, wherein the steering mirror is a fast steering mirror and is configured to rotate about first and second axes (90, 92), wherein the second axis is perpendicular to the first axis, and to be controllably oriented so as to control a direction in which the optical signals are redirected and to correspondingly control a line of sight of the optical telescope; a base; a platform carried by the base and one or more upstanding supports extending outwardly from the platform; a steering mirror assembly that includes a housing carried by and rotatable with the platform, wherein the steering mirror is carried by the housing and is configured to be controllably rotated relative to the base so as to control a direction in which the optical signals are redirected; a beam tube comprising a turning mirror configured to receive the optical signals from the steering mirror; a fold mirror configured to receive the optical signals from the turning mirror and to redirect the optical signals; a primary mirror downstream of the turning mirror and configured to collimate the optical signals; and an output mirror configured to receive the optical signals from the primary mirror and to redirect the optical signals from the optical telescope, wherein the output mirror is configured to rotate about the second axis, and to be controllably oriented so as to control a direction in which the optical signals are redirected and to correspondingly control an elevation angle of the line of sight of the optical telescope. a steering mirror configured to receive and to redirect optical signals, wherein the steering mirror is a fast steering mirror and is configured to rotate about first and second axes (90, 92), wherein the second axis is perpendicular to the first axis, and to be controllably oriented so as to control a direction in which the optical signals are redirected and to correspondingly control a line of sight of the optical telescope; a base; a platform carried by the base and one or more upstanding supports extending outwardly from the platform; a steering mirror assembly that includes a housing carried by and rotatable with the platform, wherein the steering mirror is carried by the housing and is configured to be controllably rotated relative to the base so as to control a direction in which the optical signals are redirected; a beam tube comprising a turning mirror configured to receive the optical signals from the steering mirror; a fold mirror configured to receive the optical signals from the turning mirror and to redirect the optical signals; a primary mirror downstream of the turning mirror and configured to collimate the optical signals; and an output mirror configured to receive the optical signals from the primary mirror and to redirect the optical signals from the optical telescope, wherein the output mirror is configured to rotate about the second axis, and to be controllably oriented so as to control a direction in which the optical signals are redirected and to correspondingly control an elevation angle of the line of sight of the optical telescope.