LAR - Large Adaptive Reflector

A Giant Steerable Telescope

The Large Adaptive Reflector (LAR) is a concept for a very large steerable radio telescope to be built to the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) specifications. It can be built at a low cost-per-collecting-area with a reflecting surface will be 200 metres in diameter. The reflector will be made of flat panels. The overall reflector shape will be adjusted by computer-controlled actuators. The receiver will be supported by a balloon 500 metres above the reflector, controlled by 3 or more Kevlar-like cables and winches. The LAR will operate from 250 MHz to 22 GHz.

On March 26, 2002, the aerostat flew for the first time! This is a later picture of the aerostat, at full altitude and using three tethers.

LAR Project Site