The end of the year is a good time both to review what has already been accomplished and to look forward to what must still be done. All of the boules for the first meniscus primary have been manufactured by Corning. The option for the second meniscus mirror has been exercised. As soon as those approvals have been obtained, we will announce the vendor. The polishing schedule is consistent with the overall project schedule, which calls for first light on Mauna Kea in 1998 and on Cerro Pachon in 2000.
Negotiations are well underway with the likely manufacturer of the enclosures.
The Conservation District Use Application, which must be approved before construction can begin on Mauna Kea, was submitted by the University of Hawaii on behalf of the project at the end of December. Contracts have been let for the design of the road and the power line to Cerro Pachon. The next twelve months should see the commitment of all of the major outside contracts. The critical design review for the telescope mount will be held in the spring.