The dome at site #2 was completed today before lunch. We hung the bottom shutter, hooked up the hydraulics, and then tested the control electronics. The upper and lower shutters both function correctly, with the drive motors and limit switches passing inspection. We did not try to rotate the dome, but we tested the two azimuthal drive motors, and they both worked correctly.

After lunch we went to work on the dome at Site #1. We got the roof on and the upper shutter tracks installed. This is what took us all day to do on Wednesday, so we seem to be picking up speed. Things went faster mostly because the dome leaves fit together more easily and the local crew knew what to do after building the first dome so they were able to work on a couple things in parallel.

Tomorrow morning we will get to work on all of the braces that need to be installed.

The replacement lower shutter for this dome is expected to arrive Monday afternoon. If it arrives on time, we may finish Monday, otherwise we will finish Tuesday morning.

I'm trying to add some videos of the dome in operation. Check back later, hopefully we can figure it out. In the mean time, here are some photos:

Installation of hydraulic arms to drive lower shutter.

Lower shutter installed on hinge.

Dome roof at Site #1 complete.

Shutter tracks installed on dome at Site #1.