Image 1 of 4
Image 2 of 4
Image 3 of 4
Image 4 of 4
PRODUCT OVERVIEW
The SST-600 Telescope System is a turnkey optical platform born from the partnership between 10MICRON Astro Technology and A.D.S. International. It pairs the ADS600 Optimised Catadioptric Astrograph with the 10MICRON AZ5000 DDS Alt-Azimuth Fork Mount in a single, factory-matched system, eliminating the integration effort usually required to combine optics, mount and control electronics.
With a 605 mm clear aperture, ultra-fast f/2.2 optics and a wide 3° field of view, the SST-600 is engineered for the detection, tracking and characterisation of satellites, space debris and near-Earth objects, delivering both wide-field coverage and precise, automated operation.
Heritage and Vision
The SST-600 brings together over 25 years of experience from two Italian companies: A.D.S. International, founded in 1997 and specialised in precision electro-optomechanical systems for astronomy, defence and space surveillance, and 10MICRON Astro Technology, founded in 2000 as a division of COMEC Technology and known for its robotic telescope mounts and DDS direct-drive technology. Following research and close collaboration between the two teams, the SST-600 fulfils a long-held vision of 10MICRON: combining mount and telescope in a single Italian product, designed and manufactured entirely in Europe, to bring an even higher standard of quality to professionals in the space and research sectors.
Its name reflects a deliberate dual meaning: Sky Survey & Tracking, opening the platform to research and wide-field surveys, and Space Surveillance & Tracking, the market it was built for.
Applications and Targets
The SST-600 is designed for operational space surveillance agencies, research institutes and observatory networks. Its main applications include Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST), Space Situational Awareness (SSA), satellite and space debris monitoring, NEO detection and wide-field sky surveys. It can be deployed as an individual observing station or as a node within wider surveillance networks.
Optical Design
The ADS600 astrograph uses an Adjusted Wynne prime focus design, combining a parabolic primary mirror with a five-element corrector. The f/2.2 optics cover a 3° field of view (70 mm image circle) across an extended spectral range from 400 to 950 nm, from visible light to near infrared. Image quality is maintained over the full field, with RMS spot size below 10 µm, more than 80% encircled energy within 6.4 µm (1 arcsec) and vignetting below 18%. A motorised focuser provides ±25 mm of travel with adjustment steps under 5 µm.
Motion and Mechanical Engineering
The AZ5000 DDS fork mount uses 10MICRON’s proprietary Direct Drive System, with high-torque magnetic motors and high-resolution on-axis absolute encoders. This gearless design eliminates backlash and mechanical wear. It delivers pointing accuracy below 10" RMS and tracking accuracy of 1" typical over 15 minutes, reaching 0.6" RMS with an internal 25-star model. The stiff, compact fork supports payloads up to 250 kg on a 550 mm base. Safety is ensured by mechanical stops on both axes, anti-wrap logic, local and remote emergency stop with safety relay, an audible warning system and unbalance and collision protection.
Advanced Control and Connectivity
The system is managed by an onboard microserver running a Linux-based operating system, with RS-232, Ethernet and CANopen interfaces. Time synchronisation is available via GPS (PPS), PC time server or manual input, and the mount supports ASCOM and LX200 extended protocols. TLE-based satellite tracking, advanced pointing models and full remote operation simplify integration into automated observatory workflows. Local control is provided by the dedicated Keypad and on-board Control box. The system is powered by a 48 VDC supply.
Explore our comprehensive range of included features and products in detail. Here, you will find a selection of dedicated articles covering different aspects of our product.
AVAILABLE OPTIONS
No additional options or variants are available for this telescope system at this time.
INCLUDED ITEMS
-
Altazimuth Fork Mount
-
-
-
FIND YOUR DEALER
If you would like to Make a Purchase, you can find and contact your nearest retailer by visiting our Global Presence Page.
Alternatively, if you would like to require More Detailed Information regarding compatibility and integration, please do not hesitate to Contact us directly.