Credit: TMT International Observatory / Fred Kamphues
Alastair Heptonstall, TMT opto-mechanical engineer, is testing the guide flexure of the M1 segment to measure the component stiffness. Each TMT individual segment must be controlled to create a continuous M1 mirror. TMT control system can move segments individually and the guide flexures allow the segments to move while resisting lateral motions. This test is part of the performance assessment to ensure the control system can align the mirror to achieve the required telescope performance.
