Technologies for large ultra-stable optical missions: current perspectives and developments at ESA

The current trend for higher resolution and sensitivity for Astronomy and Earth Observation space missions is leading to larger entrance apertures for future optical payloads, often requiring challenging and ultra-stable optical performances driving the instrument design and implementation. The level of complexity for such large systems requires a multidisciplinary approach and technological developments in cross-sectorial areas such as optics, structures, pointing accuracy, control, mechanisms… We present here a range of ESA R&D developments related to future large ultra-stable optical instrument architectures, providing perspectives on the identification of enabling technologies in view of current and future optical missions as well as and a wayforward to maturity for implementation within potential future missions.