Business Details
47 Years
experience
Trusted Telescope & Optical Communication Solutions by DFM Engineering
DFM Engineering has been a leader in telescope design and optical communication innovation for over 45 years. Founded by Dr. Frank Melsheimer, a renowned authority in astronomical engineering, we combine decades of technical expertise with cutting-edge advancements to deliver precision solutions for space research and satellite tracking. Our team specializes in developing high-performance telescopes, optical systems, and electro-mechanical components that address critical challenges in space situational awareness and laser communication. With a global footprint spanning over 100 professional telescopes installed worldwide, we maintain rigorous quality standards through in-house manufacturing, patented technologies, and a commitment to solving complex engineering problems.Our recent introduction of the LEO Scope and LEO Comm product lines represents a revolutionary step forward in scalable optical ground stations for satellite tracking and secure data transmission. Backed by extensive experience in observatory design, instrumentation, and automated control systems, we provide comprehensive solutions that integrate seamlessly with modern astronomical and defense applications. Our dedication to innovation is matched by our commitment to customer satisfaction, ensuring every project benefits from proven methodologies, transparent communication, and technical excellence that meets the highest industry standards.
Services
Satellite Tracking Telescopes
LEO Scope Systems
LEO Comm Platforms
ATLAS OTA Design
Prime Focus Instruments
Telescope Optics Manufacturing
Observatory Design Consulting
Electro-Optical Systems
LIDAR Components
Custom Telescope Retrofits
Details
- Year established: 1979
Highlights and features
- We have over 45 years of experience in telescope design and manufacturing.
- Our patented optical designs enable secure, high-speed laser communication systems.
- We've installed over 100 professional telescopes in 7+ countries worldwide.
- Our TCSGalil control system is the most widely used telescope control platform globally.
- We offer integrated solutions combining optics, mechanics, and software engineering.
Services
Satellite Tracking Telescopes
Our satellite tracking telescopes combine high-speed mounts with absolute position encoders to enable precise LEO satellite monitoring. Featuring 10-degree-per-second tracking capabilities and 1.5 arc-second accuracy, these systems support space domain awareness missions. The patented friction drive design minimizes inertia for rapid target acquisition.
LEO Scope
The LEO Scope is a 26-inch aperture F/1.7 telescope designed for space situational awareness. With a 4.4-degree field of view and Ximea Gpixel camera, it detects 14th magnitude stars in 0.1 seconds. This system provides networked array capabilities for real-time color imaging of space objects.
LEO Comm
Our LEO Comm platform enables secure optical data transmission at light speed. Using patent-pending optical design, this system eliminates adaptive optics requirements while maintaining throughput. The solution reduces operational costs through automated alignment and maintenance-free operation for remote deployments.
ATLAS OTA
The ATLAS optical telescope assembly features an F/2 design with 7.5-degree field of view. Using a modified 110 Megapixel CCD Schmidt camera, this system provides early warning for potential Earth-impacting asteroids. The modular design supports rapid deployment for global network implementation.
Observatory Design
Our observatory design services optimize thermal management and ventilation to minimize dome seeing effects. With three standard sizes available, these structures integrate mirror handling systems and support equipment. The designs incorporate 40 years of thermal analysis data to ensure optimal image quality in diverse environmental conditions.
People
Dr. Frank Melsheimer
President / CEO / Chief Engineer
Dr. Melsheimer founded DFM Engineering in 1979 and has designed over 100 professional telescopes worldwide. With a Doctor of Engineering from UC Berkeley, he specializes in optical system design and has led development of the company's patented telescope control systems.
Questions
What space situational awareness solutions do you offer?
We provide LEO Scope systems with 26-inch aperture telescopes and Ximea cameras for satellite tracking. These systems detect 14th magnitude stars in 0.1 seconds with +/-1.5 arc-second accuracy for space domain awareness applications.
Do you manufacture custom telescope optics?
Yes, our in-house optical facility produces mirrors 26 inches and larger using materials like ZeroDur and ULE. We provide interferogram testing data for wavefront error analysis of complete optical systems.
What telescope control systems are available?
Our TCSGalil system offers PC-based control with Renishaw 26-bit encoders. Compatible with ASCOM platform software, it provides menu-driven operation and integrates with third-party observation programs.
Can you retrofit existing telescope systems?
We've upgraded over 40 telescopes with our TCS control system. Our retrofit solutions include modern encoder integration and software updates while maintaining compatibility with existing mechanical components.
What observatory design services do you provide?
We offer three standard observatory sizes with optimized thermal management. Our designs reduce dome seeing effects through strategic ventilation and insulation, based on 40 years of environmental analysis data.
How do your laser communication systems work?
Our LEO Comm platform uses patent-pending optical design to eliminate adaptive optics requirements. This enables secure, high-throughput data transmission while reducing system complexity and maintenance needs for remote deployments.
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Reviews (1)
Mj Pineault
Nov 29, 2018
Report
The owner, "Dr. Melsheimer", was extremely rude to our needs. I can't believe he's still in business. STAY AWAY!
