Connova, a Germany-based composite engineering and manufacturing company, is supplying high-precision carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) components for the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT), supporting the development of one of the world's most advanced ground-based astronomical observatories.
The supplied components are manufactured using CFRP materials designed for high dimensional stability, low thermal expansion, and structural stiffness — properties critical for precision optical systems where even minor deformation can affect alignment and imaging performance.
The Giant Magellan Telescope is a next-generation astronomical facility under construction in Chile, designed with a 25.4 m aperture formed by seven primary mirror segments. The project involves a global consortium of research institutions and requires highly specialised components for optical, structural, and instrumentation systems.
Connova's role focuses on delivering precision composite parts that support stability and alignment within the telescope's instrumentation. Composite materials are increasingly used in such systems due to their ability to combine low weight with high stiffness and controlled thermal behaviour.
For the composites industry, the project demonstrates the growing role of high-performance composite materials in precision engineering applications.
Source: Connova
