PoS(ISKAF2010)046 http://pos.sissa.it t status of t status 2010. The curren mmercial-ShareAlike Licence. mmercial-ShareAlike Licence. ootball fields, the FAST (Five-hundred-meter (Five-hundred-meter FAST fields, the ootball FAST site preparation, progress on key system on key progress FAST preparation, site eative Commons Attribution-NonCo istrict, Beijing 100012, China 100012, China istrict, Beijing ect FAST will be started officially in October will be started ect FAST Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences Sciences of Academy Observatories, Chinese [email protected] the project is updated in this paper, focussed on focussed paper, this in updated project is the Radio Astronomy Technology), to enhance Chinese involvements in the international SKA international in the involvements Chinese enhance to Technology), Astronomy Radio With a huge collecting area of more than 30 f 30 than of more area collecting huge a With Aperture Spherical Telescope) will become the largestAperture Spherical Telescope) will become single dishbuilt ever in the world. The construction of the proj designs of the main active reflector, feed driving and pointing, measurements and controls, feeds feeds and controls, measurements pointing, and feed driving main active reflector, of the designs for Laboratory (Joint JLRAT established newly the we introduce etc. Finally and receivers, Array) project.Kilometre (Square Copyright ownedCopyright by the author(s) under the terms of the Cr ISKAF2010 Science Meeting Science ISKAF2010 - ISKAF2010 Assen, the Netherlands 201 June 10–14 @ Bo Peng National Astronomical D Rd. A20, Chaoyang Datun E-mail: The Status of the FAST Project of the FAST Project The Status PoS(ISKAF2010)046 Peng Peng %R esis Telescope) was esis erto Rico. In a word, erto Rico. al astronomers around early around early al astronomers ecame mature mostly by the by the ecame mature mostly ely in Guizhou province of China. ely in cus cabin is driven and pointed by and pointed cus cabin is driven 2 2 now about 20 countries involved in the SKA project involved in the SKA project now about 20 countries Telescope Working Group and of a workshop on spherical telescopes Telescope Working technical issues, karst sinkhole as a site, feed positioning by technical issues, karst sinkhole cable driven, tes and universities since then. Early results (Strom et al., 1996) of which were results (Strom tes and universities since then. Early ong cables simultaneously, integrating optical, mechanical and electronic and mechanical optical, integrating ong cables simultaneously, o astronomers from 10 countries including China, meeting at the 24th General 10 countries including China, from o astronomers modified “Arecibo” type radio telescope with its big reflector adjustable to conform a adjustable to conform telescope with its big reflector radio modified “Arecibo” type y making use of the karst landforms existed extensiv use of the karst landforms y making The KARST concept (Peng et al., 1998, Nan et al., 2002) b 2002) The KARST concept (Peng et al., 1998, Nan et al., After some independent suggestions between individu a few independent suggestions After some We will introduce the long path to the FAST which was rooted from the SKA, bring up the SKA, which was rooted from FAST the long path to the We will introduce The SKA (Square KilometreThe SKA (Square Array) collaboration project has been grown up as a global technologies. The FAST can be seen as a prototype of the KARST, a Chinese SKA concept. The FAST can be seen as a prototype of technologies. and the giant reflector shaped by actuators. Around the summer 1997, was proposed the FAST radio telescope to be an innovative concept between a fully 100 m dish like Effelsberg steerable radio telescope in Pu m like Arecibo 305 dish and a fixed in Germany, 1.2 FAST project 1.2 FAST conference (LTWG-3) held in Guizhou province in October 1995. Assembly of the URSI (International Union for Radio Science) in Kyoto Japan in 1993, Radio Science) in Kyoto Assembly the URSI (International Union for of in to the SKA large radio telescope (calledproposed to build a new generation LT, renamed The (Large LTWG area of about one square kilometers. 1999), with an effective collecting as a start point. efforts international Telescope Working to coordinate Group) was then formed Observatory,BAO (Beijing Astronomical group at the In 1994 China set up a LT resaerch at realizingChinese Academy of Sciences), working the SKA with a large spherical reflector array,(Kilometer Area Radio SynthChinese SKA concept KARST i.e., a progress on three key suspension l born, b number) The KARST small the so-calledconcept is a representative of LDSN (large diameter FAST is a reported at the third Large 1990s, radi 1. Introduction 1. Introduction FAST Status FAST concept for building up the SKA (Nan et al., 2002). Astronomers and engineerings have been et al., 2002). concept for building up the SKA (Nan worked at RFI (radio frequency quiet site survey interference) in the karst area at Pintang and and wideband feed studies among light focus positioning in Guizhou province, Puding counties 15 Chinese institu parabolic revolution from a sphere shape, while the fo recent updates on FAST project, and make a plan for future Chinese participation FAST project, and make a plan for recent updates on to the SKA, Technology). for Radio Astronomy JLRAT (Joint Laboratory bywhich is coordinated the 1.1 Chinese concept for the SKA since it was born in early 1990s. There are be can which Telescope), Spherical Aperture in different ways. The FAST (Five-hundred-meter National Large Scale of the SKA, is a funded Chinese seen as a forerunner Facility project. It now. years in about 5.5 will be constructed from PoS(ISKAF2010)046 Peng Peng %R aperture of 500 m in diameter. The in diameter. 500 m of aperture the concept (right panel) concept the 3 3 guration (left panel) and panel) and guration (left ning of the FAST construction is scheduled around October 2010, and the around October 2010, and the scheduled construction is ning of the FAST mmissioning is expected to be in late 2015. late 2015. to be in is expected mmissioning In July as a National Large 2007, FAST was approved Scale Scientific Facility by the Preparatory study by was first funded the FAST project on of CAS (Chinese Academy the Fig.1 FAST geometrical confi geometrical FAST Fig.1 The optical geometry of the reflector is where the FAST is shown in Figure 1 (left panel), Being the most sensitive radio telescope, FAST will offer astronomers chances to make FAST will offer astronomers Being the most sensitive radio telescope, NDRC (National Development and Reform Commission). funds started to In 2009 the construct Development and Reform NDRC (National ope flow, the official study and prototype key technical issues intensively. Continued supports were received from the from were received Continued supports intensively. issues study technical key and prototype CAS and NSFC feasibility of China) for FAST’s (National natural Science Foundation studies be applied to the FAST to technologies all key designs. To assemble and preliminary namelyMyFAST,successfully constructed FAST demonstrator, construction, Miyun by was Milky the Way. hydrogen in neutral 2006 by detecting September FAST co Sciences)the MOST (Ministry together with and Technology,of Science in 1998, to China) 2. project FAST for Critical technology developments FAST Status FAST effective aperture of ~300 m will be illuminated by the feeds in a cabin moving on the focus on the focus bythe feeds in a cabin moving will be illuminated m effective aperture of ~300 a spherical cap with a radius of R ~ 300 m and an opening and an opening 300 m a spherical cap with a radius of R ~ great scientific neutral hydrogen discoveries,surveys for example, at distant galaxies out to high thousands of new pulsars, exposing first shining stars, detecting some redshifts, looking for the of the host the future becoming exotic objects, world (national, regional) etc. VLBI network, researches likeFAST will also help other space weather studies and deep space mission services. surface, halfway from the reflector to its spherical center. The receivers will cover a frequency the reflector to its spherical center. The receivers surface, halfway from range from 70 MHz to 3 GHz, with extendable capability to 8 up GHz for future. The Upgrade. telescope is to be the shape of the focus cabin and adjusting simultaneously by pointed moving (right panel). Figure1 to as shown in a sphere a paraboloid, reflector from the illuminated PoS(ISKAF2010)046 Peng Peng %R We conclude by drilling experiments by drilling experiments at y and engineering geology conditions 4 4 panel), and detailed site investigation detailed site panel), and (for example, left panel in Figure 2), showing suitable profiles to profiles suitable showing in Figure 2), left panel (for example, pherical reflectors. The path of about 7 km long, as shown in Figure 3 (left panel), connecting long, as shown in Figure 3 (left the county road The path of about 7 km A series of RFI (radio frequency interference) A series of RFI (radio frequency interference) a portable were initiated with measurements region. climate monsoonal humid to the subtropical province belongs Guizhou of It is one Progress on the five keyProgress summarized FAST project are of the technologies and updated Site investigations by drilling experiments are presented in Figure 2 (right panel) at Fig.2 A high resolution map (left resolution map A high Fig.2 equipment from 1994 at some potential SKA locations in Guizhou province, providing a Guizhou province, potential SKA locations in at some from 1994 equipment of snapshot of the situation in terms of the characteristics strength and temporal spectrum, signals, to check on the radio interfering RFI of view of the point from suitability environment. 2003 an was statistically December stable. Since The results showed that the radio environment than a year,conducted continuously for more to acquire campaign had been RFI measurement directions from SKA sites, bydata on background levels at potential on transmissions focusing can be attributed to known radio services. around the horizon. Most of the signals (at cross point NiuJiao) and the Dawodang depression, started construction around April 2010,(at cross point NiuJiao) and the Dawodang depression, Dawodang karst the hydrogeologdepression, exploring underground. Dawodang depression at Pintang county, with its stable geology round shape and environment. radio quiet its with has been selected as the top one location for FAST, togther that, due to the remoteness of the candidate region and terrain shielding, the RFI situation in and terrain shielding, the region of the candidate remoteness that, due to the (Peng et al., 2008) between 70 MHz -- 22 GHz with little interference Guizhou looks promising, Dawodang depression (right panel). (right Dawodang depression locate large s FAST Status FAST the provinces with better seismic stability, providing richest stability, better seismic the provinces with providing karst depressions, as potential sites site the on explorations Comprehensive KARST. SKA concept and Chinese FAST for the natural electromagnetic environment, meteorology, and hydrological geologies, engineering were sinkholes earth 90 More than years. the past 15 over carried out been etc. have resources resolutions mapped at high briefly in this section, i.e., site preparation, main active reflector, feed support, measurement measurement support, reflector, feed active main site preparation, section, i.e., this briefly in and the receiver. and control, preparation 2.1 Site PoS(ISKAF2010)046 Peng Peng %R Cable-mesh spherical spherical Cable-mesh uction (left panel), and and (left panel), uction Control point ith additional ranging system. system. ranging ith additional Control motor actuators (left panel), (left panel), actuators of two sets of cables in orthogonal directions, orthogonal in cables of of two sets g depression under constr under g depression 5 5 Main cable Main cable Control cable Ranging nts, cables and motors, equipped w equipped motors, and nts, cables ted, a cable mesh consists cable mesh ted, a The illuminated part of the main spherical reflector (see spherical reflector main part of the The illuminated Fig. 1) is to be active, which is To deform the main To deform surface into giant spherical reflector, it is necessarydivide the to Fig.3 Reflector segmentation by hexagons with hexagons by Reflector segmentation Fig.3 shown in Figure 3 (right panel, see Nan et al., 2003). A downward cable is used to realize smaller elementary units. Two different ways have been investigated to segment the huge the segment been investigated to units. Two different ways have elementary smaller reflector of the FAST: firstly, has three 1800 hexagons. Each element have approximately to averagely adjacent elements, actuators to point its position and connect it to speaking there is one actuator per element panel 3 as shown in Figure (the left panel, see Qiu, 1998). Secondly, considering that a reflector net by a cable supported surface extent activated to some be could cables, a similar structure supporting of the controlling the lengths without extra-servos to telescope is adop Arecibo continuously adjustable to fit a paraboloid of revolution by actuated control, synchronous with synchronous by actuated control, adjustable to fit a paraboloid of revolution continuously universe. feeds in the focus cabin while tracking an object in the of the antenna the motion 2.2 main Active reflector reflector (right panel): control poi control panel): reflector (right and will be gone through by the end of the year bybe gone through and will the of Dawodang near 2010. Site accommodation end the FAST, is mostly constructing the in the period of use, completed, as for temporal depression panel). Figure 3 (right shown in as site accommodation for temporal use built up (right panel). Fig.3 A path connecting the county road and Dawodan and county road the path connecting A Fig.3 FAST Status FAST control along the radial and tangential directions for a proper segmenting scheme, such as a segmenting scheme, for a proper directions control along the radial and tangential PoS(ISKAF2010)046 Peng Peng %R oretical and experimental experimental oretical and in Guizhou province (right panel). (right panel). province in Guizhou 6 6 in 1:1 scaled model, installed at Miyun Observatory in Beijing in Beijing Miyun Observatory installed at model, in 1:1 scaled of reflector tested at FAST site FAST at tested of reflector of the FAST telescope in several respects: simplifiestelescope the structure of of the FAST A novel design for the feed-support structure of the FAST, as in Figure 6 demonstrated Both concepts have Both concepts demonstrated been feasibly by intensive the The FAST will be pointed by moving its focus cabin while the reflector surface is cabin while the reflector its focus The FAST will be pointed by moving Recently,Figure 4) in terms of different structure, elementary (left panel in reflector units (left panel), was proposed by using six suspended cables, suspended was proposed by using six (left panel), which of integratedis by means mechanical, electronic and optical technologies (Duan et al., 1996). There are three key with a central computer, components: driven by first, six cables will be servo-mechanisms secondly, a stabilizer in the focus cabin to provide a on of receivers will be mounted a group second adjustment. Thirdly, a laser ranging system of the position to measure will be adopted the FAST main reflector; eases reliability;machinery relaxes the fabrication work and improves accuracy and leaves spaceengineering upgrading; reduces the civil telescope for further may above further advantages listed and the ground. The between actuators be beneficial to FAST in terms of required operating reliability and for the project, construction cost, time telescope maintenance. deformed. There are two research groups in Xidian and Tsinghua universities working at some and Tsinghua deformed. There are two research groups in Xidian different driving mechanisms, to study the feasibilitylight focus. of pointing a Keiwitt geodesic triangle element panel shown in Figure 3 element panel shown triangle Keiwitt geodesic (right adjust these panel). Motors the the control nodes. for system feedback from cables with positioning is one Compared cable mesh to the first method, the 2006 respectively.studies in 2001 and beneficial to construction 2.3 Focus cabin positioning Fig.4 Some elementary reflector panels, panels, reflector elementary Some Fig.4 key components some and (left panel), FAST Status FAST technology and material, and actuators (left panel in Figure 5) to test strength, which are all in Figure 5) to test strength, and actuators (left panel in technology and material, manufactured and installed at Miyunscales of 1:1 ratio, have been designed, Observatory in anti-corrosion effects are being tested for environmental which key components, Beijing. Some panel for anti-pullout (right bottom Figure 4), and anchors to test earth strengths (right panel in to FAST site in Guizhou. Wind were designed, manufactured and transported in Figure 5) top the map data near Dawodang area, as shown in the right were simulated with environments panel of Figure 5. PoS(ISKAF2010)046 Peng Peng %R el). province (right bottom bottom (right province ing (left panel), an anchor coupled coupled an anchor panel), ing (left ces and controllers (right panel). (right ces and controllers depression in Guizhou depression wers (left panel); a 50 m model demonstrating the the demonstrating model 50 m wers (left panel); a 7 7 which has been under detailed development. development. been under detailed which has d environment of the FAST site (right top pan (right top site FAST of the d environment or tested at Dawodang or tested alled at Miyun Observatory in Beij sion cables, positioning devi sion cables, positioning cable support without a platform: six suspended cables connected to cables six suspended platform: without a cable support l systems with supporting to with l systems Fig.6 Feed support for the Fig.6 Feed support for the Tsinghua in byof colleagues a group but different approach was conducted A similar cable car configuration and pre-ten mechanical servo-contro the feed in real time. The information will be fed back to the central computer for global control. for global control. the central computer be fed back to will information The real time. the feed in first was built model 5 m a such a design, To demonstrate indoor successfully, with preceded a in Xidian university, outdoor model 50 m Fig.5 An actuator of 1:1 scale inst 1:1 scale of Fig.5 An actuator with downlink cable of the reflect of the with downlink cable FAST Status FAST panel), and a simulation result of the wind fiel wind of the result a simulation and panel), University. A small cable car, to house the focus cabin mounting feeds and receivers, is driven feeds cable car, to house the focus cabin mounting University. small A by two pairs of pairs of parallel supporting cables, two crossed which are suspended from or less is more panel). This in Figure 6 (right (Ren et al. 2001) as demonstrated opposite towers like a trolleyare introduced to The pre-tension downtie cables on the cable-way in mountains. adjust the stiffnessthe of feed support structure. The main advantages of the cable-car PoS(ISKAF2010)046 Peng Peng %R laser trackers (right) and and laser trackers (right) th work for their base base th work for their ping have been experiments conducted at cabin (left panel): two (left panel): cabin s lifetime while it bends. These efforts have s lifetime of the reflector (nine sections) will be measured will be measured (nine sections) reflector of the 8 8 e transportation between the focus cabin, the top of the towers, and the focus cabin,e transportation between top the ound the main reflector, while avoiding any avoiding reflector, while risky ear ound the main ely. Recently, we have been designing the high towers, which heights would be above be above would ely. heights high towers, which Recently,been designing the we have To point the focus cabin, two freedom and four total trackers of six degrees of To point the laser The FAST is a telescope whose components are mostly components The FAST is a telescope whose movable. High accuracy To read the profile of the FAST active reflector, one should know the position of each FAST active reflector, one should know the position of the profile of To read the Fig. 7 Measuring instruments for driving the focus the driving for instruments 7 Measuring Fig. The end to end simulation for the feed support system was performed by a close by a close was performed system support the feed for end simulation The end to resolution map of the Dawodang depression, further investigated and checked for the realization of the Dawodang depression, resolution map suitable optic fibres, and selecting designing we have been feasibility time, on site. In the mean which will be used for singl foundations.newly measured high on the been optimized have the six towers Locations of the ground laboratory. We have been testing fibre’ the ground laboratory. We the top of the NAOC building in Beijing, at Miyun Observatory and Xidian University at Miyun Observatory Xidian and Beijing, NAOC building in the top of the symmetrically It is desired to have the towers one. for the maximum m 170 each, up to ~ 100 m distributed ar 4 total stations (left) will be employed; the shape will be employed; 4 total stations (left) photographically by cameras (right panel). (right panel). photographically by cameras stations would be employed, to observe the measuring targets mounted the lower and upper on to observe the measuring stations would be employed, cabin, includingplates of the stabilizer in the focus one redundancy each for reliability and high accuracy as shown insurance, panel of Figure 7. in the left measurements and control technologies are needed, to read the spatial coordinates of targetsmeasurements and control technologies the main the focus cabin and shaping driving while controlled over long distance, which will be reflector simultaneously. 2.4 and Control system Measurement been made closely with professional industry people. together respectiv configuration are: firstly,configuration is relatively cable extension of short. Secondly, the maximum length characteristics the dynamic stiffness and improve used to adjust the cables could be downward of the cable support system. dimensions 50 m 20 and of 2, 5, models There were different scale efforts by the last decade, which are joint established during NAOC. Tsinghua University and order to in has been continued development Further a German group firstly. collaboration with systemthe contribute to some design at NAOC, prototy FAST Status FAST node of the cable mesh. A photographic approach would be ideal to measure the surface, as be employedadopted by the Arecibo telescope. Digital scanning instruments would to measure PoS(ISKAF2010)046 Peng Peng %R sets of receivers. sets of in Guizhou.in 2010 current layout uses 9 carried out at the FAST site out at the carried 9 9 , like the GPS stations as displayed Figure 8, have in SS (CSIRO Astronomy Space Science) in Australia and JBCA and Australia (CSIRO Space Science) in Astronomy SS A bilateral collaboration on the FAST project was established between the A bilateral collaboration on the FAST project was Beijing FAST receivers are to be mounted on a stabilized plate, connected to the main bodyFAST receivers are to be mounted of a Fig. 8 Field observations with a GPS station were observations with a GPS station Field 8 Fig. of consisting in a semi-closed loop system, reflector shape will be controlled The main the positions of the control points, which will be divided into nine overlapping circular sections,overlapping circular into nine will be divided control points, which of the the positions the from cables with feedback will adjust these of Figure 7. Motors in the right panel as shown the control for points. ranging system been carried out at FAST site. been carried out at FAST FAST Status FAST Astronomical Observatory (now Astronomical Observatories, NAOC, National Astronomical CAS) and the use of on low noise receivers is based on the Observatory.The joint discussion Jodrell Bank the technical risk. A receiver layout was produced in existing, proven technology, to minimize developed focal not fully by The possibilityof using the an update in 2006. 2001, followed plane array technology (FPA) was investigated either. The hexapod in the focus cabin. The optics of the focus cabin. the hexapod in FAST shown a prime focus in Figure 1 resembles about 40 degrees. zenith angle of parabolic telescope with a maximum shape sensing and adjustment. A field bus technology would be applied to realize A field bus technology to realize would be applied shape sensing and adjustment. can of winches. The system and controllers control computer communications between the main also be supported by a flexible bodycontrol with on the force of the additional information cable. Locations of GPS (Global Position System) stations, tracker laser and camera supporters Dawodang depression, of the resolution map, high on the newly measured have been optimized checked for the realization feasibilityinvestigated and and further on site. Some field equipment observations with measuring 2.5 Receiver A trilateral collaboration with CA (Jodrell Bank Center for Astrophysics) in United was recentlyKingdom established to further PoS(ISKAF2010)046 Peng Peng %R will be located. will be located. 10 10 Fig. 10 A name board for the JLRAT between the NAOC Fig. 10 A name board for JLRAT between the and the CETC54. The telescope FAST is now final design, with preparation for construction around under Fig. 9 A receiver layout drawing with 19 beams at L-band, investigated recently by a trilateral a trilateral by recently investigated at L-band, beams 19 with drawing layout A receiver Fig. 9 Considering frequent contacts for constructing the 50 m radio telescope in Beijing, Considering frequent contacts for constructing the 50 m collaborations among NAOC, CASS and JBCA for the FAST. FAST. JBCA for the and CASS NAOC, among collaborations optimize the receiver layout, and investigate the feasibility of an ambitious 19 beam receiver the receiver layout, at 19 beam the feasibility and investigate optimize an ambitious of bandwidth, 500MHz L-band with as shown in Figure to transfer will be used 9. Optical fibers laboratory to the ground the IF signals equipment the signal processing where the solar radio telescope array of 40 x 4 m and 60 x 2m in Inner Mongolia, the 65 m in and 60 x 2m the solar radio telescope array of 40 x 4 m pathfinder) antennas of radio telescope in Shanghai, and the ASKAP (Australian SKA of the NAOC and President of the CETC54 singed in June 6 2009, Director 36 x 12 m, technologies. a MoA to cooperate astronomy of the radio closely on joint development at the CETC54 met In January 12, 2010, Director of the NAOC and President of the Radio Astronomy to establish the JLRAT, Joint Laboratory for opening ceremony 3. SKA for JLRAT FAST Status FAST October 2010. It is expected to be available for astronomical use by 2015. for astronomical October 2010. It is expected to be available PoS(ISKAF2010)046 Peng Peng %R nomical Observatory,decorated y thanks to Drs. Baoyan Duan, to Drs. Baoyany thanks Duan, 11 11 prepared for Guizhouprepared for Astro Radio ng depression (right panel) panel) (right depression ng This paper is written up, based on the talk given by the author at the ISKAF2010, on based on the talk given by author This paper is written up, the Fig.11 The office building yard Before the FAST construction gets started, an office building in the campus, as a Before the FAST construction gets the Arecibo radio telescope and the founder of Gordon, who was the As Prof. W. The JLRAT will take the responsibility to coordinate the SKA activities in China, in China, the SKA activities to coordinate responsibility take the The JLRAT will 4. Remarks Observatory, is assigned to the Radio Astronomical prepared phase for future Guizhou for use by the by Guizhou University, which has been just decorated ready FAST team panel of Figure 11. left end of May 2010, as shown in the we were young enough that we didn’t know “We Observatory, recalled the sceptics, people...... ”, with supporters of talented have big dreams, couldn’t do it”, “If you dream, construction and operation of the world largest single which was true for the successful study of the 305 m telescope, which is true for the successful preparatory dish Arecibo the FAST and the future of successful construction FAST, and should be true for the at to be true with supporters of intelligent colleagues is coming SKA. The FAST dream the right panel of Figure 11. Dawodang depression, to be shown up as that in its home FAST Status FAST participations ways for Chinese active more joint effort to find which is a Technology, in the Antenna) Verification (Dish the DVA like activities, SKA in the international in US; to Project) Development (Technology in the TDP approach similar WP2 and to serve better for future a radio technique laboratory; to establish develop a new mode up new generation other; and to bring with better understanding each radio telescopes the existing resources. use of service by making astronomy engineers for future Chinese current and future contributions for with industry companies, working together ways. in some to the SKA project ready for use by the end of May 2010 (left panel); The FAST dream is coming to be true as collective as true be to is coming dream FAST The panel); May 2010 (left of end by the use for ready Dawoda its home at contributions Yuhai Qiu, Yaoping Nie, Gexue Ren, Sebastian von Hoerner, Yukuan Mao, Jigun Xiong, FAST. dream contributions to the big et al., for their earlyShengyin great Wu, Richard Strom behalf of the FAST project team. We would like to thank all the colleagues of the We behalf of the FAST project team. for their contributions to the R&D studies. We are grateful for FAST/KARST project team China Science and Technology of of CAS, the Ministry by the provided financial support NKBRSF2003CB716703, and NSF Grant No. 10433020. Man PoS(ISKAF2010)046 Peng Peng %R 46 (12), 46 , Ap&SS, 278 , ACTA , ACTA ring campaign at campaign ring , eds. Strom, Peng & & Peng Strom, , eds. Acta Astronautica telescope with an active main , International Academy Radio spectrum monito Radio spectrum radio telescope, radio 2 Proc. of the LTWG-3 LTWG-3 the Proc. of &W-SRT in in 625 625 12 12 ˈ p 85 t Arecibo-type Spherical radio Spherical t Arecibo-type Study of the feed system for a large radio telescope from the telescope radio for a large system feed of the Study Adaptive Cable-mesh Reflector for the FAST for Reflector Cable-mesh Adaptive 120 , Proc. of the LTWG-3 & W-SRT LTWG-3 of the & Proc. On cable the car feed support configuration for FAST, , PASP 179, Kluwer Academic Publishers, 93 Publishers, Academic 179, Kluwer J. M. Sun, and R. Strom, 2008, R. Strom, M. Sun, and J. IAUS. A chinese concept for1 the km SKA Memo. 17 SKA A novel design for a gian Zhao, J. Wang, G. Xu, 1996, Wang, G. J. Zhao, MNRAS, 301, p827. , International Academy Publishers. proposed sites in China SKA Publishers. 667 667 243 (1), L.Zhu, X. Xu, 2002, reflector, viewpoint of mechanical and structural engineering, and structural mechanical of viewpoint Nan, Astronomica Sinica, v. 44 , Suppl., 13 13 Suppl., 44 , Sinica, v. Astronomica [6]Piao, T.Y. Li, J.B. B. Peng, [5]1998, Nan, B. Peng, R. [9] 1996, R. Nan, B. Peng, R. Strom, [2] H. Zhang, C.Jin, Su, Y. Wu, J.H. W. Zhu, Zheng, Y. Wu, S. Ren, G. Qiu, Y. B. Peng, R. Nan, [3] 2003, Y. Lu, W.Zhu, Ren, G. R. Nan, [8]2001, G. Ren, Q. Lu, Z. Zhou, [7] Y. Qiu, 1998, [1] Y. B. Duan, [4]2000, B. Peng, R. Nan, FAST Status FAST References