JPL, Attn: Thomas May, Mail Stop 190-205, 4800 Oak Grove Dr., Pasadena, CA 91109-8099

A -- MODIFICATIONS TO CURRENT 0.6 & 1.2 METER TELESCOPES/DOMES AT JPL'S TABLE MOUNTAIN FACILITY SOL 97/7 DUE 051597 POC James W. Young at JPL's Table Mountain Facility; FAX (760) 249-5392 E-MAIL: May 15 meeting at Table Mountain Facility, james.w.young@jpl.nasa.gov. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory/California Institute of Technology (JPL/CIT), operating under a prime contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), seeks to determine the interest of potential proposers for the planning/engineering design to modify, as necessary, and complete modifications for the current operating 0.6 and 1.2 meter reflecting telescopes and their facilities to track Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites at JPL's Table Mountain Facility in Wrightwood, CA. The current operating parameters for both telescopes are for astronomical and astrometric science data gathering with slew rates of one (1) degree/second of time along with pointing and tracking accuracies of +/- 1 arc second. Telescopes are housed in separate facilities with 20 and one-half and 36 and one-half foot Ash Manufactured domes. Each instrument is controlled by C+ PC based computer controlled in-house developed software. The 0.6 meter telescope can be remotely controlled. The interiors of each facility can be pre air-conditioned for ambient outside operating air temperature conditions for nighttime operation. Modifications to both telescopes will require slew/track rates of two (2) degree/second of time for optical communications to LEO satellites while maintaining all of the current pointing and tracking accuracies. Instruments must support up to 40 kg detector packages at Cassegrain foci (both currently do). Both domes must be made retractable to allow full two (2) steradian sky view. Tracking accuracies for both telescopes during encounters must be nominal 6 arc seconds down to 75 degrees zenith angle. A meeting will be held at the Table Mountain Facility for all interested parties to inspect both telescopes, view all current operating parameters, inspect complete mechanical aspects of each telescope and dome, and access to all vendor-furnished engineering drawings. This meeting is on May 15, 1997 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (DST). Both on-site resident astronomers along with JPL astronomy and astrometric userswill be present for current operating demonstrations and for all questions by interested parties. Written expressions of interest should be submitted no later than May 12, 1997 to: James W. Young, P.O. Box 367, Wrightwood, CA 92397-0367; FAX (760) 249-5392; or via E-Mail to james.w.young@jpl.nasa.gov. Include your FAX number so a detailed location map of the Table Mountain Facility can be returned. Such expressions of interest should include a description of the interested parties' qualifications. Prospective contractors are advised that any information provided shall be deemed to be furnished with unlimited rights to JPL. JPL assumes no liability for the disclosure, use, or reproduction of such data. This synopsis is not a Request for Proposal (RFP). (0122)

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