MT Mechatronics reached together with its erection partners an important milestone in the completion of the Sardinia Radio Telescope.

The reflector of the radio telescope with 500t of weight and 64m large was lifted to the 35m high supporting structure alidade with a spectacular crane lift. It was performed by a large 1350t Liebherr crane operated by Mammoet, a company specialised in large lifts.

The final surface of reflector of Radio Telescope Sardinia will consist of 3000 m² aluminum panels finally adjusted to 500µm RMS. For the compensation of gravity deformations during the reflector rotation via the telescope elevation axis, the aluminium surface will be connected to 1100 electro mechanical adjusters which will correct the deformation effects based on the, via finite elements analysis, predicted deformations.

The surface of the 6m sub-reflector is assembled and aligned to 57µm RMS. The completed Radio Telescope will have a total weight of 3000 t. Pictures of the telescope project are released on the website www.srt.inaf.it.

The project is constructed under the lead of MT Mechatronics GmbH as general contractor for the Italian Institute INAF (Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica). The telescope location is approximately 40 km north east of Cagliari in South Sardinia.