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The first two TMT full-size Mirror Segments demonstration assemblies installed into the Multi-Segment Integration & Test (MSIT) facility at the Monrovia lab. - Image credit: TMT International Observatory

First Two TMT Mirror Segment Demonstrators Installed at the Monrovia lab.

 

Two full-size TMT Primary Segment demonstration assemblies fitted with aluminum mirror segments have been successfully installed  into the Multi-Segment Integration & Test (MSIT) facility at the TMT lab.

Installation TMT Dummy Mirror Segment into MSIT

Installation of second TMT full-size production-like Segment Assembly at TMT Technical Lab.   -Image credit: TMT International Observatory

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The prototypes are positioned in tip, tilt and piston and aligned with a gap of 2.5 mm between the segment edges at the optical surface, in exactly the same way that the primary mirrors will be installed on the telescope.

 

The newly-installed production-like segment assemblies will be used to perform extensive testing and design validation.

First two TMT Dummy Mirror Segments installed into the Multi-Segment Integration & Test (MSIT) facility

Alan Tubb, TMT Opto-Mechanical Engineer, installing the TMT Primary Segment demonstration assemblies fitted with aluminum mirror segments in Monrovia Lab. -Image credit: TMT International Observatory

One of the immediate efforts will be to test the performance of the capacitive edge-sensor dust-boots, which are used to protect their sensitive hardware and electronics from the environment.

 

In addition, they will support the on-going development of equipment and procedures that will be used in the insertion, extraction, handling and maintenance of the segments and their associated systems over the lifetime of the telescope.


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