The problem we’re solving.
Smallsats have hit a practical ceiling on how big a telescope they can carry, which is why most systems top out around ~35cm GSD. Pushing beyond that with traditional optics quickly becomes uneconomic or physically unfeasible.
PAIS breaks these trade-offs so you can build more capable and/or more ISR satellites to meet your mission and budgeting requirements.
How PAIS Works
Instead of one large mirror, PAIS uses an array of small mirrors positioned around the edge of a virtual full aperture.
The partial mirrors together represent only a fraction (~10-15%) of the full aperture area, yet the effective resolution is set by the full virtual aperture size, not each mirror.
PAIS is made up of a 3-part system, a tightly integrated stack of hardware and software.
Advanced light modulation
An optical modulator with a coded phase mask reshapes the incoming light field.
This restores the Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) that would otherwise be degraded by a partial aperture, enabling image quality equivalent to a full-aperture system.
Proprietary algorithm
A standard CMOS sensor records a structured light pattern instead of a conventional image.
Remondo’s nonlinear deconvolution algorithm decodes that pattern into a standard, high-resolution image—on ground or in orbit.
Lensless, indirect imaging
PAIS does not form a sharp image directly on the sensor.
It captures unfocused light in a way that is inherently more tolerant to mechanical deformation and launch vibrations.
PAIS is inherently more forgiving than traditional optics—mechanical tolerances can be relaxed by up to two orders of magnitude. To ensure peak performance in orbit, we add an autonomous smart calibration module:
Internal light sources are used to generate reference patterns.
Actuators make fine 6-D adjustments to mirror positions.
An onboard processor runs a closed-loop algorithm until optical quality targets are met.
Periodic Point Spread Function (PSF) calibration using distant stars creates a unique system “fingerprint” that is continuously fed back into the decoding pipeline to continuously improve image quality.
Result
Full aperture-class resolution from a system that is lighter, simpler, and far more robust to real-world disturbance.
Remondo’s groundbreaking optical payload is compact for launch and expands upon deployment.
Because PAIS uses smaller, distributed mirrors, the aperture can be folded for launch and deployed on orbit.
A 2m effective aperture, that would never fit a typical rideshare envelope, becomes launchable as a compact, folded payload.
Once in orbit, the aperture deployment module—based on space-proven mechanisms—unfolds the system to its full operational diameter.
This enables large-aperture performance on smallsat launch budgets, including rideshare missions.
PAIS is designed from first principles for size, weight, and cost efficiency.
Orders-of-Magnitude Cost Reduction
Orders-of-Magnitude Cost Reduction 2–3 orders of magnitude reduction in optical payload cost compared to traditional large-aperture space telescopes
Lower Mass. Lower Launch Costs
Lower Mass. Lower Launch Costs Dramatically lower mass and volume, simplifying integration and reducing launch costs
Wavelength-Agnostic by Design
Wavelength-Agnostic by Design Mirror-only design makes the system wavelength-agnostic, suitable for visible, IR, UV, and multi-spectral missions
Intelligent Optics, Smarter Processing
Intelligent Optics, Smarter Processing Optimized algorithms and sensitive CMOS sensors mitigate lower light collection and computational complexity
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2–3 orders of magnitude reduction in optical payload cost compared to traditional large-aperture space telescopes
Dramatically lower mass and volume, simplifying integration and reducing launch costs
Mirror-only design makes the system wavelength-agnostic, suitable for visible, IR, UV, and multi-spectral missions
Optimized algorithms and sensitive CMOS sensors mitigate lower light collection and computational complexity
Remondo’s PAIS 
satellites are designed to meet these major capabilities and built to support time-critical ISR missions.
satellites are designed to meet these major capabilities and built to support time-critical ISR missions.The benefits fielding a PAIS-based constellation:
- Intelligent Optics, Smarter Processing
- Can deliver visual long-wave infrared imaging
- Revisit timelines for affordability by adding more satellites
- High revisit rates are now economically possible
- Configurable modes provide flexibility and control
This combination of clarity, cadence, and cost allows customers to:
- Improve multiple ISR operations
- Strengthen border and maritime monitoring
- Enhance early warning and situational awareness
- Support disaster response and humanitarian operations
- Expand commercial and civil remote sensing applications
Remondo has a team of talented and experienced engineers, physicists, and algorithm developers that are always open to new ideas and collaboration to advance our technical capabilities. If you have ideas that potentially enhance or augment our capabilities, please contact us.
Below are some R&D ideas that are of interest to us.
- Near Earth imaging
- Lunar imaging and mapping
- Advanced image processing and analytics algorithms
- AI automates satellite operations and image processing
- Direct uplink and downlink command and control operations
- Multi-spectral and non-visible bands collection from LEO, MEO, or GEO
Ready for clarity that moves missions forward?
