Time Lapse Video of Telescope Integration

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image from time-lapse video courtesy of L3 Communications

A two minute video showing the telescope integration process that took two days to complete.

A 14,000 pound specially engineered lifting tool was attached to the telescope (lower right corner, above the aircraft wing) and expertly lifted alternately and in tandem by a 210 ton crane and a 75 ton crane.  This lift proceeded over a two day period, much of the time controlled and progessing only a fraction of an inch at a time, until the entire 34,000 lbs load cleared the main sill beam of the aircraft, was lowered into the aircraft cavity, moved forward and attached in place to the forward bulkhead of the aircraft. Clearances of this load at entry into the aircraft were at several points less than 4 inches and the attachment points where the load mated to the bulkhead had been precisely engineered to accept the bolt-up exactly as planned.  After attachment of the telescope to the bulkhead, the second crane was moved into position and attached to the lifting device.

Over the following two hours, loads were transferred alternately in 200 to 500 lbs increments to the second crane, insuring a gradual transfer of the 19,800 lbs SUA weight to the aircraft bulkhead.  Additionally, this weight transfer process insured the 14,000 lbs lifting device could be lifted back out of the cavity with a center of gravity and no induced kick-loading from the telescope weight.  The process worked as planned and the lifting device was safely and accurately removed from the cavity, thus successfully completing installation of the telescope.

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