The operations at the Paranal Observatory have hit their 25th year milestone for the Unit Telescope 1 that saw first light in 1998. We will review different technical and organizational aspects of the technical operations over the last years. First, we present an update on the reliability and availability of the observatory systems and in particular the scientific instruments over the last decade. Corrective maintenance metrics will be presented to show the trends and compare with previous similar studies. Second, we present a review of our current maintenance processes after an analysis started recently for planning the future integrated operations with the Extremely Large telescope (ELT). The exercise revealed how the resources are used as well as the gaps and potential for improvements, in particular in the context of our methodology of Maintenance in Conditions of Operation (MCO), which we implemented in 2014. Finally, we will give an update on obsolescence management by describing some of the solutions we have implemented, and our strategy and forecast for the future decades given the aging of the Observatory and the need to keep the Very Large Telescope (VLT) competitive in the era of ELT.
The Deformable Secondary Mirror (DSM), a vital component in Very Large Telescope (VLT) adaptive optics systems, is responsible for correcting optical aberrations in high-resolution imaging. During February 2023 it was affected by an unusual condition that led it to a critical failure. This paper presents an extensive analysis of such critical failure and the application of Root Cause Analysis (RCA) methodology to systematically identify and rectify the underlying issues. The RCA process seeks to uncover the core reasons that allowed a problem to manifest, looking into various contributing factors such as human error, equipment failure, organizational issues, or procedural shortcomings. By understanding and addressing the root cause of a problem, organizations can implement more effective solutions, improving processes, systems, and preventing similar issues from occurring in the future. The goal is not just to fix immediate problems but to institute changes that create more resilient and reliable systems. This investigation employed an array of advanced diagnostic methods, data acquisition, and fault tree analysis to pinpoint the root causes of the failure. This in-depth research aims to prevent similar failures in the future and, ultimately, enhance the reliability and performance of the DSM within the domain of adaptive optics. As a result of this research, distinct risk mitigation methods were suggested to safeguard against potential future failures, and several personnel training recommendations were given. These methods will be integrated into the DSM's operational protocols and maintenance procedures, thereby minimizing the risk of new failures, and ensuring the uninterrupted operation of adaptive optics systems in critical astronomical observations.
The advancement of technologies in Interferometry and Adaptive Optics (AO) at the Very Large Telescope (VLT) at Paranal Observatory calls for an updated approach to maintenance strategies. This new approach draws on the observatory's rich operational experience. The Integrated Operations Program (IOP), aiming at integrating operations of VLT and ELT, supports this strategic change, encouraging the ongoing enhancement of maintenance practices. This paper outlines the learnings from recent maintenance work following the installation of Interferometry systems and the Adaptive Optics Facility (AOF). It describes the new maintenance framework being put into practice through the IOP for the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) and its instruments, breaking it down into categories of Improvement, Preventive, Corrective, and Operational Maintenance types. It also covers root cause analyses for a contamination event. The main goal of this document is to highlight the most significant maintenance challenges faced by the Instrumentation Group at Paranal Observatory, focusing on the period when AOF was set up and the latest interferometry instruments were introduced. Maintenance processes are examined through several observational periods, starting with period 103, which corresponds to the year 2019. The paper also introduces the Technical Time Request system, a tool used for planning the time needed for maintenance activities within the overall schedule of the observatory, which includes all tasks, both technical and observational.
The maintenance concept provides the basis for overall dependability design requirements for Extremely Large Telescopes (ELTs), such as the European Southern Observatory’s ELT, the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT), and the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT). The maintenance concept contains the planning of the maintenance and support policy for the complete operational system of the ELTs. The way in which the maintenance concept was developed in the ELTs is shown, and the similarities and differences in the way the operational objectives will be achieved is identified. The methodology is based on explaining seven common points (maintenance philosophy/levels; maintenance types and strategies; designing for dependability: reliability, availability, and maintainability; organizational structure and responsibilities for maintenance operations; maintenance and configuration management; key performance indicators for operations; and challenges, opportunities, and lessons learned) and condensing the knowledge during the process of generation and application of the maintenance concept.
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