SSO Update

Published in the RSAA Lunations
Vol1 Issue25 1–28 February 2022

In mid-November last year, just before a KOALA run, the AGU rotator failed.  The resolver, which is located on the rear of the motor and provides feedback to the control system, had failed.  The position of the rotator can be very important for some observations because of the Rotation of the elongated FoV of KOALA.  This can make a loss in observing efficiency when targeting objects that could fit within the FoV of KOALA using the appropriate rotational angle.  

The motor/resolver is quite large and located in a tight spot in the AGU, as shown here.

In order to remove the motor, the AGU needed to be split to provide access to the motor attachment bolts.  The current staff at the AAT had no experience with splitting the AGU.  The teams came up with a detailed plan and commenced the complex task, starting with disconnecting all the wiring between the two units.  After the cass cage was removed, the guiding unit was removed from the acquisition section and the motor was able to be replaced.

The unit was successfully reassembled in time for the Christmas KOALA run.  Thanks to the great effort and planning by the technical teams at SSO.

Rob Brookfield