CFRP composite optical telescope assembly for the 1 m ULTRA project

Robert N. Martin; Robert C. Romeo

doi:10.1117/12.671928

6 July 2006 CFRP composite optical telescope assembly for the 1 m ULTRA project

Robert N. Martin, Robert C. Romeo

Proceedings Volume 6273, Optomechanical Technologies for Astronomy; 627311 (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.671928
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2006, Orlando, Florida , United States

Abstract

The focus of the ULTRA Project is to develop and test Ultra-Lightweight Technology for Research applications in Astronomy. The ULTRA project is a collaborative effort involving the private firm Composite Mirror Applications, Inc (CMA) and 3 universities: University of Kansas, San Diego State University, and Dartmouth College. Funding for ULTRA is predominately from a NSF three year MRI program grant to CMA and KU with additional support from CMA, KU and SDSU. The goal of the ULTRA program is to demonstrate that a viable alternative exists to traditional glass mirror and steel telescope technology by designing, fabricating and testing a research telescope constructed from carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) materials. In particular, a 1m diameter, Cassegrain telescope optics set and optical tube assembly (OTA) are being designed and fabricated by CMA. The completed telescope will be deployed at SDSU's Mt Laguna Observatory in a refurbished structure (new dome and mount provided via KU and SDSU). We expect that a successful completion and testing of this project will lead to future use of CFRP technology in larger telescopes and segmented telescopes. This paper describes the OTA (optical tube assembly) that has been developed for the ULTRA project. The mirror technology is described in another paper in this conference. A poster describes the ULTRA project overview in more detail.

Citation Download Citation

Robert N. Martin and Robert C. Romeo "CFRP composite optical telescope assembly for the 1 m ULTRA project", Proc. SPIE 6273, Optomechanical Technologies for Astronomy, 627311 (6 July 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.671928

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