Optical performance evaluation of the high spatial resolution imaging camera of BepiColombo space mission

Abstract Thermo-elastic analyses of the High spatial Resolution Imaging Camera (HRIC), which is mounted on Mercury Planetary Orbiter BepiColombo Integrated Observatory SYStem suit (SIMBIO-SYS) of BepiColombo space mission, are carried out in order to evaluate the effect of thermo-elastic deformations on the optical performance experienced by the camera at the worst thermal scenario of Mercury space environment. In particular, the optical performance is evaluated in terms of the pointing error of the camera and the potential presence of optical aberrations.