Updating and consolidating the 2011 EST conceptual design were the main task for the Project Office in the last year. The definition of the specific requirements and the validation of its cutting edge adaptive secondary mirror are part of the Project Office main duties. These efforts will lead to a call for tenders for the preliminary design of the primary mirror M1, secondary mirror M2, and the structure of the telescope.
During the consolidation and review of the 2011 conceptual design, the possibility of an adaptive secondary mirror (ASM) was considered. This addition modifies the 2011 telescope optical concept and will allow to reduce the number of optical surfaces by half.
EST will be the first solar telescope assembling an adaptive secondary mirror. Besides, it will push current night time adaptive optics technology to the next level, addressing several challenges that night time AO has not solved yet. A market consultation was launched in regard of the adaptive secondary mirror, and results were received on May 31st, 2019. This information is key to continue the design consolidation. In the case the new EST concept is adopted, a conceptual design review will take place in September 2019.
On the other hand, the IAC has made an effort to define a legal framework to run collaboration agreements with public and private European agents. In particular, the exchange of knowledge and experience with industrial organisations pushing technological developments has been pursued. The IAC collaboration with industry in different astronomy-related technological areas will contribute to meet some of the EST specific technical challenges.
Upcoming public calls for tenders
The first EST public call for tenders will address the Preliminary Design of M1, M2 and the structure of the telescope. The aim is to have the contract awarded by the end of 2019. The design is expected to be accomplished by January 2021 in order to have the Preliminary Design Review in February 2021.
This review makes it necessary to develop the preliminary design of the rest of the subsystems during 2020 (or at least the ones that will be included in the February-March review). These studies may also give rise to other calls for tenders during 2020.
A civil engineer is under selection to prepare the necessary works to consolidate the site to be chosen and define all necessary steps for the preparation of the site and the consolidation of the building construction.