Liverpool Telescope Upgrade Programme

LJMU is conducting a pre-market engagement exercise to gauge the capabilities of the market for our requirement. This is not a call for competition/ ITT. This process enables LJMU to fully understand the market to assist us in drafting our tender documentation / determining next steps.

Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), through its Astrophysics Research Institute (ARI), is undertaking a pre-market engagement exercise relating to the planned upgrade of the Liverpool Telescope (LT), a fully robotic 2-metre astronomical observatory located at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory, La Palma, Spain.

The Liverpool Telescope has operated successfully for over twenty years and is a key scientific facility supporting UK-led astronomical research. LJMU is exploring options to modernise the telescope's control systems and associated infrastructure to extend operational life, improve reliability, reduce maintenance burden and enhance scientific performance.

The current scope under consideration includes:

• Replacement and modernisation of the Telescope Control System;
• Replacement of azimuth, altitude and Cassegrain axis drive systems;
• Modernisation of enclosure control systems (PLCs software and control cards);
• Replacement or redesign of selected optical and mechanism control systems;
• Associated control system networking, timing and safety interfaces;
• Design, manufacture, installation, testing, commissioning and post-upgrade support service;
• Knowledge transfer, documentation and training.