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 , 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 , 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 . <EOS>