Canada France Telescope Enclosure

Overview

Dynamic Structures was responsible for designing the first high-altitude telescope enclosure to be built on Mauna Kea , Hawaii , at an elevation of 13,987 feet, to house a 3.6 meter equatorial telescope. This was the first telescope enclosure we had ever designed and built.

Challenge

We needed to design an enclosure that would be structurally secure during all phases of construction, and would protect a sophisticated telescope both thermally and dynamically while at the same time also resisting high survival wind loads and temperature swings.

Solution

During the initial concept phase we considered all the details that would influence risk, safety and cost. We then designed the structure in such a way that it was simple to construct using jigs and fixtures to position critical sections of the structure prior to welding. The symmetrical erection sequence we created ensured that the structure was stable at all times and able to withstand 200 km/h winds.
 

"I have appreciated the very real intellectual interest demonstrated... Our relationship has been the most positive that we have had with any outside fabricator"

Nick Scoville, Director, Owens Valley Radio Observatory