Use of active optics to optimize the figure of a 3.5-m honeycomb sandwich mirror

This paper describes the active support system for the primary minor of the Air Force Phillips Laboratory’s Starfire Optical Range 3.5-m telescope, and in particular the optimization of axial forces after the initial installation of the minor in its operational support cell. The project had as its main goal determining the best set of support forces for the minor. Secondary goals involved characterizing the behavior of the support system, and developing techniques to optimize support forces for 6.5-m and 8.4-m minors, which will have 100-150 actuators as compared with 40 actuators for the 3.5-m minor.