GMTO Primary Mirror Active Support System Testing with the Test Cell and Mass Simulator

GMTO has developed a full-scale prototype of the cell that can house an 8.4-meter borosilicate mirror. This test cell is populated with all the active support control hardware and a mass simulator that simulates the mirror weight and the moment of inertia. GMTO has implemented the control software with all the core features needed to operate the active support system. A series of tests have been carried out to verify the functions, performance, and safety of the active support control system. The tests were carried out at several different orientations of the cell to demonstrate that the active support system works with the changing zenith angle and location of the mirror on the telescope mount. This paper describes the results of important safety and dynamic response tests of the active support system.