Patent ID: 8292233

Claim:
A satellite comprising: a mechanically stabilized platform comprising optical elements configured to collect and analyze electromagnetic radiation; an interface plate comprising a stabilization means, wherein the stabilization means supports the mechanically stabilized platform; a thermal structure formed of thermally conductive material, wherein the thermal structure includes at least one thermal baffle; and a plate supporting the thermal structure, wherein the plate is supported by the interface plate, in such a manner that there is no direct physical contact between the thermal structure and the mechanically stabilized platform, and the thermal structure is located at a first side of the mechanically stabilized platform, a thermal decoupling means configured to thermally decouple the plate from the thermal structure, wherein the mechanically stabilized platform and the thermal structure define a sighting axis and the sighting axis points in a direction close to the sun, incident light from the sun passes through the thermal structure to be incident upon the mechanically stabilized platform, and the interface plate is positioned on a second side, opposite the first side, of the mechanically stabilized platform.