NEWS 25 April 2024
Hybrid variable-reluctance actuator technology on-sky
Astronomers use deformable mirrors to improve the image of a telescope by correcting for the optical distortions caused by atmospheric turbulence.
Together with academic and industrial partners, TNO is working on technology to enable larger, more robust and more affordable systems. A sudden opportunity presented itself to demonstrate the technology in a real-life setting on a NASA telescope in Hawai’i. With smart re-use of existing hardware and building on existing design concepts, the team managed to get from project kick-off to system shipment in only one year, as described in this Mikroniek article. First light is planned for late April 2024. (Image courtesy of TNO)
