Mechanics & drives
Concept: alt-az, alt 30o-90o, full azimuthal rotation, direct drives & tachometer, hydrostatic bearings on all axes
- Based on rocking chair design, with lateral containement
- Mass involved ~ 104 T (steel, mirrors) + 5 104 T (concrete)
- Modular structure (--> mass production, ‘easy’ assembly)
- Segmented linear motors (as VLT): a < 0.1o s-2, v < 0.1o s-1
Conservative approach using steel and traditional passive structures affords eigenfrequencies ~ 1.5 Hz (wind < 5 m s-1)
- Active dynamic control means, advanced materials to be studied
Room for (cautious) optimism regarding improvement