Puebla, Mexico
Large Millimeter Telescope
Scope/Solutions
Located at 15,000 ft on top of the Sierra Negra in central Mexico, the Large Millimeter Telescope (LMT) is a fully-steerable, 50 m dia. radio telescope used for astronomy at millimeter wave lengths. The LMT project, jointly executed by UMass and the INAOE, was funded in part by the U.S. Department of Defense, Mexico’s Council for Science and Technology, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the State of Puebla where the LMT is located.
SGH developed the preliminary design of the antenna foundation and the structure, which moves in elevation. We performed dynamic analyses of the overall antenna, and then reviewed and evaluated the final design of the LMT.
We also prepared detailed designs of the 5 m by 3 m space frames (subframes), which support the CFRP reflector panels. We developed a detail for deep-groove, narrow-gap welds to obtain a continuous welded azimuth track to support sixteen wheels with a 2,000 kN load at each wheel.
Project Summary
2001
Key team members
