The main principles of a 70-m radio telescope reflecting system design

Design work on a 70-m axisymmetrical reflector antenna with modified reflector profiles, the RT-70, which began in 1969 is described. In the design process complex problems arose due to diffraction phenomena on the twin-reflector commutator. To solve these problems special diffraction shields were used. Another problem encountered was that of phase compensation of the reflector system gravitational deformation. The reflector shape is not a second-order surface in this system. This problem was solved successfully, and results of radioastronomical investigation of the phase-compensation-system performance are given.<
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