Abstract: A device such as a secondary mirror of a space telescope is mounted isostatically on a support structure through an integrated compact assembly including three mounting devices, which are preferably identical and uniformly distributed around an axis of symmetry of the device to be supported. Each device is in the form of a deformable triangle in which a first arm materialized by at least a variable length arm is connected to the support structure, and in which the opposite vertex materialized by a support part is connected to the device to be supported. Friction free hinges with zero play connect the arms of the triangle together. Thus the position of the device to be supported can be corrected along six degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A mechanism for isostatic fitting of a fragile element, such as a mirror, to a support, generally carried on board a spacecraft, is provided. The mechanism includes three identical connecting devices circumferentially distributed around the optical axis of the mirror. Each device has a flexible blade or plate, whose longitudinal axis is preferably oriented in a direction tangential to a circle centered on the optical axis. The cross-section of the flexible blade decreases progressively from a first end fixed to the support to a second end fixed to the mirror, through a deformable member. The deformable member is adapted to flex in order to permit a relative rotation about a radially oriented axis. The fixtures to the support and the mirror are provided by rods operating only in tension and compression.