Optical Payloads for Space Missions is a comprehensive collection of optical spacecraft payloads with contributions by leading international rocket-scientists and instrument builders. * Covers various applications, including earth observation, communications, navigation, weather, and science satellites and deep space exploration * Each chapter covers one or more specific optical payload * Contains a review chapter which provides readers with an overview on the background, current status, trends, and future prospects of the optical payloads * Provides information on the principles of the optical spacecraft payloads, missions' background, motivation and challenges, as well as the scientific returns, benefits and applications