This contract is partly responsible for the delay in the last set of reflector panels. Altogether too much in-house engineering effort is being invested in the cabin redesign. We chose to finish our in-house design effort and in April 1999 a contract for the cabin panel production was awarded to JoaQuin Corporation of Commerce City, Colorado for two sets of panels, with an option for four more. The first set had significant quality control problems, but has been fitted together and the first cabin is complete except for painting and a few minor details. JaoQuin will receive a revised set of drawings by February 1 and proceed with the second cabin.
Quality control is still a concern.
The new servo seems to be working well in Antenna 1. The schedule for completing the hardware installation and cabling in Antenna 4 before shipment to Hawaii is tight. The drive servo must deal with possible damage to the mount due to motor torques and speeds that are very high. New limit switches and bumper stops are being designed. In theory we expect no damage to the antenna even from pointing directly at the sun.