The Centre for Advanced Instrumentation (CfAI) has hosted two researchers from the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) as part of an Official Development Assistance project funded by STFC-Newton Fund.
This knowledge transfer project with Thailand has drawn together three UK leading institutes in the fields of astronomical and space instrumentation: UK Astronomy Technology Centre (UKATC), the University of Sheffield (UoS), and Durham University’s CfAI with a two-week training session at our Orbit site at the end of February.
The primary purpose of this project has been to promote the economic development and welfare of Thailand by helping to remove the barriers that prevent Thailand from independently manufacturing precision optical components.
Jitsupa Paenoi and Pearachad Chartsiriwattana from NARIT undertook placements at Durham University, UKATC and the University of Sheffield, where they learned the principles of mirror design and fabrication for space applications.
Led by CfAI Research Fellow, Dr Cyril Bourgenot, while in Durham Jitsupa and Pearachad learned the process of stress-free mirror design, and modelled how the mirror distortion translates into optical aberrations whilst in Durham.
The team also provided an introduction to optics manufacturing techniques and optical and mechanical metrology, alongside form and roughness optimisation to meet the challenging requirements for use in Earth observation satellite instrumentation.
This knowledge-sharing will enable NARIT to prepare and begin working on the development and manufacture of similar fabrications in Thailand.
Find out more