Patent ID: 7837340

Claim:
A primary mirror of a reflector telescope having a principal axis, the primary mirror comprising: A structural support framework comprising a generally parabolic surface defining an axis generally orthogonal to the principal axis; a plurality of spaced apart translational actuators aligned to provide translational motion generally parallel to the principal axis, the translational actuators having a head and a foot and being fixed on the parabolic surface by the foot; a corresponding plurality of mirror segments, each mirror segment having a plurality of facets, wherein each mirror segment is rotationally attached to one of the translational actuators; and a corresponding plurality of rotational actuators, each actuator attached to the head of one of the translational actuators and configured: (i) to rotate the mirror segment to direct a beam of light striking one of the plurality of facets, and (ii) to rotate each mirror segment to selectively expose each facet of each mirror segment to the beam of light.