Ground Transport and Mission Support System for a Mobile 2-meter Cassegrain Telescope

Our project is a conceptual engineering study focused on developing a Mobile Transport and Mission Support System (MTS) for a 1-meter observatory-class Cassegrain telescope. Unlike a hardware build or test effort, this work emphasizes a feasibility-backed design that can guide future development and fabrication. The MTS will be a trailer-based system capable of safely transporting, powering, and protecting the telescope. By deploying to remote or under-resourced locations, unlike traditional observatories, which require permanent land use and dedicated infrastructure, the mobile system eliminates land acquisition barriers by operating entirely on a trailer platform, and allowing broader access to advanced astronomical instruments.

The team completed requirements definition, structural and vibration analysis, and the development of a full trailer-integrated concept tailored to telescope operations. Finite element simulations validated that the trailer frame met strength and stability targets while maintaining transportability within highway limits. Vibration modeling confirmed that optical alignment could be preserved during both transport and observation. The enclosure design provided environmental protection against wind and thermal effects while allowing rapid setup in the field. As a result, the final conceptual design demonstrates a practical and reliable solution for mobile telescope operations, ensuring readiness for research, education, and outreach applications.