PROGRAM SIMULATION OF MEASURING POSITIONING INACCURACIES OF THE LARGE REFLECTOR PANELS OF THE ROT-54/2.6 RADIO-OPTICAL TELESCOPE ANTENNA USING A LASER RANGEFINDER

Abstract

      During its long-term preservation, various physical-mechanical and radio-technical parameters of the ROT-54/2.6 radio-optical telescope have likely deviated from their original values due to the influence of natural and anthropogenic factors. In recent years, an international team working under the framework of the “Herouni National Space Center” project has committed to the reactivation of the telescope. A comprehensive business plan has been developed, along with a system for addressing the diverse scientific challenges associated with the restoration process.

     One of the primary engineering challenges of the reactivation is the reassembly and  calibration of the antenna. The first essential stage in this process is the comparative evaluation of the antenna’s current condition against its ideal reference geometry. The magnitude of the detected deviations will directly serve as a correction coefficient during the reassembly process. The general methodological framework includes a set of approaches that allow for reliable technical diagnostics without the need for direct physical intervention.

      A particularly critical task is ensuring the precise spherical geometry of the large reflector. In this paper, a measurement methodology is proposed that enables the identification of the overall positional deviation and possible deformation of each panel forming the large spherical reflector. This is achieved by performing measurements at five points on each panel using a laser rangefinder positioned in four predefined locations around the reflector surface.

The article presents a software-based simulation and three-dimensional mechanical analysis of the proposed method, which automates several stages of data processing based on the measurements. A test evaluation has been conducted using randomly generated initial data to assess the radial positional state of the panels composing the large reflector.

      The toolset developed based on this methodology is essential for ensuring the precise performance of the antenna. It not only significantly reduces the volume of future physical calibration work, but also lays a technological foundation for the integration of a fully   automated control system.