We present a parametric cost estimate for the Kilometric Optical Interferometer (KOI) in a classical array configuration:
24 telescopes, 4-meter primary mirror, up to 1 km baseline. The parametric cost estimate is based on available cost
information from the Magdalena Ridge Observatory (MRO) Interferometer at New Mexico Tech. A Kilometric Optical
Interferometer based on a classical array concept has an estimated construction cost between $1B and $3B if it would be
built today (2008 dollars and technology).
The implication of the estimated construction cost is that cost reductions are critical in the planning phase to bring the
cost within a reasonable envelope. Hence we propose to set a budget ceiling that seems feasible given the support to be
expected from the scientific community and funding agencies. Given a budget ceiling, a design-to-cost process should
be followed. We propose to set a construction phase budget cap of $800M (2008 dollars) for KOI as an initial goal.
Narrowing down of the science goals in combination with technology development to reduce cost and technological
complexity are the main areas of activities for the next decade. We propose to establish a virtual project office to
coordinate these activities.
The Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer is a 10-element 1.4 meter aperture optical and near-infrared
interferometer being built at 3,200 meters altitude on Magdalena Ridge, west of Socorro, NM. The
interferometer layout is an equilateral "Y" configuration to complement our key science mission, which is
centered around imaging faint and complex astrophysical targets. This paper serves as an overview and
update on the status of the observatory and our progress towards first light and first fringes in the next few
years.
The Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer (MROI) is a US federally funded project to construct the world's most ambitious optical/IR (0.6-2.4micron) imaging interferometer at a 10,500ft-altitude site in New Mexico. In its initial phase it will consist of 6 telescopes, each 1.4m in diameter, separated by distances ranging from 7.5m to 340m. A second phase will upgrade the interferometer to a 10-telescope configuration, allowing a "snapshot" imaging capability. The MROI will deliver images with sub-milliarcsecond angular resolutions while simultaneously providing images over 5-70 spectral sub-bands. A key feature is that the array will have sufficient sensitivity to image a wide range of targets, including extragalactic targets and, potentially, geosynchronous satellites. We report on the design and current status of the array.
Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer (MROI) is a ten telescope optical
interferometer array being built on the Magdalena Mountains 20 miles west of Socorro,
New Mexico. A Radio Frequency (RF) survey in the 100 MHz to 3 GHz RF band has
been conducted at the site of the interferometer array on the ridge. The RF site
characterization plan is to conduct a pre-construction RF survey and document the
existing RF background. A post-construction RF survey will also be conducted after
installation and commissioning of the MROI to understand quantitatively any changes to
the RF environment at the site. This paper describes the instrumentation and methods
used for the RF survey and the results obtained to date. With Langmuir Laboratory for
lightning research, MRO 2.4m Telescope co-located on the mountain and with the Very
Large Array and the White Sands Missile Range facilities also near by; these data are
presented as they may be useful for them and other facilities in future. The RF survey is
also proposed as a useful tool to better design MROI facility with knowledge and
understanding of the environment for RFI/EMC control and mitigation.
Magdalena Ridge Observatory (MRO) Interferometer is a ten telescope optical
interferometer array being built on the Magdalena Mountains 20 miles west of Socorro,
New Mexico. The interferometer is being designed by collaboration between New
Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology and the University of Cambridge. The
science mission and requirements have been finalized which has helped to begin
engineering design and development culminating in detailed conceptual designs. Some of
the proposed hardware and software implementations are currently being tested in the
lab. We present an engineering overview of the conceptual design and the proposed
hardware and software implementations.
We present an outline of the automated alignment system for the 350m baseline Magdalena Ridge Observatory
Interferometer (MROI) which will manage the simultaneous alignment of its six principal optical subsystems
(telescopes, beam relay trains, delay lines, beam reducing telescopes, switchyards, and beam combiners). Many of these
components will be held under vacuum, will be subject to varying thermal loads and will use different coatings
(optimized for either optical or near-IR wavelengths). We review the proposed architecture of our scheme and discuss
the procedures, tools, and optical analyses we have used to design it.
The Magdalena Ridge Observatory Interferometer (MROI) is a ten element optical and near-infrared imaging interferometer being built in the Magdalena mountains west of Socorro, NM at an altitude of 3230 m. The interferometer is being designed and built by a collaboration which includes the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (NMT) as the prime contractor and center for the technical team, and the University of Cambridge, Physics Department at the Cavendish Laboratory, which participates in the design and executes work packages under contract with NMT. This manuscript serves as a status update on MROI, and will present progress and milestones toward the observatory's first fringes in 2008.
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