A structureless space telescope is disclosed. The structureless primary mirror includes a plurality of mirror elements for focusing and reflecting electromagnetic radiation, and the telescope further includes at least one secondary mirror and possibly a tertiary mirror for receiving the focused and reflected electromagnetic radiation from the structureless primary mirror and reflecting the electromagnetic radiation, and at least one focal plane array for receiving the focused and reflected electromagnetic radiation from the secondary mirror or tertiary mirror, wherein the plurality of mirror elements, the secondary mirror and the focal plane array are coordinated and controlled without a physical structure connecting the plurality of mirror elements.