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The new Gemini North AO (GNAO) Laser Guide Star Facility (LGSF) will require four Laser Launch Telescopes (LLTs) to enable wide or narrow field corrections with GLAO or LTAO. In early 2021, Officina Stellare has been awarded a contract to design and build four LLTs. Based on the current LLT designs, Officina Stellare carried out a year-long design study and started the production of an Engineering and Qualification Model (EQM) to validate this design and minimise risks in the production of the four deliverable units. Following the manufacture of the mechanical and optical parts, including the large aspherical lens, produced in-house using CNC optical polishing and tested using high-resolution interferometry, the EQM underwent a full series of mechanical and optical tests to validate its performance under representative operating conditions, including gravity, pressure and temperature. Serial production of the other four units to be installed on the telescope has begun, with all key components already manufactured.
