Abstract: The stress polishing technique is a powerful tool for fabrication of off-axis mirror profiles. The inherent smoothness that can be achieved from polishing spheres can now be applied to asymmetric profiles. This smoothness, combined with the need for the mirror to be thin and flexible, can be coupled to active mounting systems which readily correct low order shapes to produce a near ideal system. This technique will allow the fabrication of complete off-axis telescopes within the same basic cost range as on-axis systems, if not for less. The strength of this statement comes from the fact that both the primary and secondary mirror can be fabricated and mounted using the same techniques, affording less stringent global profile requirements during fabrication. The components are literally bent into final shape with minimal high spatial residual error in the telescope, making the system function at optimum.!2
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