An optical beam scanning system having a synthetic center of beam rotation. A front, primary intermediate and back mirrors having respective motors are provided to receive and redirect an optical beam. A controller is connected to orient the front, primary intermediate and back mirrors so that a beam received by the front mirror from a given direction is directed toward the primary intermediate mirror, by the primary intermediate mirror toward the back mirror, and by the back mirror so as to pass through a selected point spaced apart from the back mirror in one of a plurality of selectable different directions. A secondary intermediate mirror may be provided so as to receive the beam from the primary intermediate mirror and redirect it toward the back mirror. The beam may be directed thereby through a synthetic center of beam rotation.
