The Gondola

Figure 2. Drawing of MAXIMA gondola with the current single-pixel MAX receiver. The "inner frame" holds the primary mirror, secondary optics, and the cryostat. This inner frame tilts with respect to the outer frame to point the beam in elevation. The bottom of the gondola has a pallet constructed with aluminum honeycomb, which is very light and strong. The structrural members are made of 3 inch wide aluminum angle. A simplified version of the flywheel system used to point the gondola in azimuth can be seen at the top of the gondola. The entire gondola weighs about 2,500 lbs.

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