demcon-focal-case-laser guide star

laser guide star.

The European Southern Observatory (ESO) is creating the world’s largest telescope. It has selected TNO to provide a key enabling technology that will allow the telescope to produce better views of the universe than have ever been possible. In the project, TNO will collaborate with Demcon focal as a major sub-contractor. With the help of TNO’s laser guide star launch telescope technology, the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) will provide insight into some of the greatest astronomical questions of our time, from the birth of stars to the search for signs of life on exoplanets in other star systems.

design challenges.

For the ELT project, TNO partnered with Demcon focal, who will develop the laser beam conditioning, electronics, control systems for the laser launch telescope (BCDS). The main design challenges for this BCDS are:

  • Maintain high beam quality and beam positioning for temperatures from 0 to 15 degrees C and for zenith angles ranging from 0 to 60 degrees.
  • Modular design of the subsystems as line replaceable units (LRU) to allow for a time and cost-effective service on site of the ELT.
focal-case-laser guide star-design challenges

"a view on the future."

We acknowledge the profound scientific impact of the ELT, and are proud of these cross-border European innovations that advance both industry and science. We have a pleasant partnership with TNO, and we are happy to have the opportunity to position Demcon as industrial partner for aerospace applications and to give scientists the opportunity to understand more about space than ever before possible.