A feasibility study for conducting unattended night-time operations at WMKO

Paul J. Stomski Jr.; Sarah Gajadhar; Scott Dahm; Carolyn Jordan; Tom Nordin

doi:10.1117/12.2230831

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15 August 2016 A feasibility study for conducting unattended night-time operations at WMKO

Paul J. Stomski Jr., Sarah Gajadhar, Scott Dahm, Carolyn Jordan, Tom Nordin

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Proceedings Volume 9911, Modeling, Systems Engineering, and Project Management for Astronomy VII; 99111F (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2230831
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2016, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Abstract

In 2015, W. M. Keck Observatory conducted a study of the feasibility of conducting nighttime operations on Maunakea without any staff on the mountain. The study was motivated by the possibility of long term operational costs savings as well as other expected benefits. The goals of the study were to understand the technical feasibility and risk as well as to provide labor and cost estimates for implementation. The results of the study would be used to inform a decision about whether or not to fund and initiate a formal project aimed at the development of this new unattended nighttime operating capability. In this paper we will describe the study process as well as a brief summary of the results including the identified viable design alternative, the risk analysis, and the scope of work. We will also share the decisions made as a result of the study and current status of related follow-on activity.

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Paul J. Stomski Jr., Sarah Gajadhar, Scott Dahm, Carolyn Jordan, and Tom Nordin "A feasibility study for conducting unattended night-time operations at WMKO", Proc. SPIE 9911, Modeling, Systems Engineering, and Project Management for Astronomy VII, 99111F (15 August 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2230831

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