The Cornell Caltech Atacama Telescope: progress and plans 2010

The CCAT Project is an effort to construct a 25 meter aperture telescope above 5600 meters altitude operating down to wavelengths as short as 200 μm. CCAT has developed some new and innovative approaches to telescope and optics design, added new partners to the project, and has plans for substantially increased activities over the next two years. Begun by Cornell University and the California Institute of Technology, CCAT currently has six national and university partners. Funding has been increased and significant technical activities are underway to investigate the key enabling technologies. Areas of development include telescope optical design, mount design, application of CFRP materials to the telescope, sensing and control of primary mirror segments, and control system architecture. Schedules and budgets for the Project have been updated and an overall approach leading to first light in 2016-2017 has been developed. CCAT promises to have a significant scientific impact on submillimeter astronomy and the prospects for success has never looked better.