Metering Structure Installed

The SOFIA Telescoope Metering Structure (MST) was successfully installed in the SOFIA Observatory Aircraft on Friday, 2 May, 2003.  The DLR/MAN/Thyssen-Krupp integration team in Waco succeeded in lifting the Metering Structure into the cavity and installing it to the Telescope Assembly.

The Metering Structure (MST) is the principal structural component of the telescope in the cavity. It includes a truss-like structure that holds the Primary Mirror Assembly and rigidly maintains the spacing and alignment between the Primary and Secondary Mirrors in the presence of wind forces in the cavity and the drive forces from the Telescope Suspension Assembly. The MST is largely made up of many layers of high strength carbon fiber reinforced plastic, and it attaches to the Telescope Suspension Assembly through a very stiff interface called the StarFrame.

Like many other components in the SOFIA Observatory cavity, the MST has received a special black coating that controls straylight. This coating is currently protected by a layer of stretch plastic wrap.

During the next few weeks, technicians from Kayser-Threde, MAN Technologie and NASA will complete the cabling and insulation work required to activate the Telescope Assembly coarse drive mechanism.  This interim milestone will be followed in June by the installation of the Primary Mirror Assembly and later, the Secondary Mirror Assembly will be integrated with the upper end of the MST.  At that time, the physical integration will be complete and will be followed by extensive ground systems testing and verification. Stay tuned for the latest progress.

The StarFrame Interface	Lifting of MST into the telescope cavitiy	Lifting of MST into the telescope cavitiy
Lifting of MST into the telescope cavitiy	MST attached to the StarFrame	click on image for close-up view images courtesy of USRA

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