The Ohio State University College of Mathematical & Physical Sciences Department of Astronomy

Attendees: Pat Osmer, Jen Marshall, Bruce Atwood, Darren DePoy, Tom O'Brien, Mark Derwent, Paul Byard, Jerry Mason, Dan Pappalardo, Carrie Klingel (nee Lewis), Abiye Lakew & Rick Pogge

Carrie reported on progress on the MODS1 work plan, which is nearing completion. She is starting the MODS2 work plan estimates, working out what items are replicated from MODS1, and which tasks are going to proceed in parallel. She expects to have full cost projections for MODS and Aluminizing by early August.

These work plans will help form the basis of a variety of contracts, including an agreement with Steward Observatory for the components (e.g., CCDs) they are providing, the main instrument contract with the LBT Project Office, and the TSIP contract with NSF/NOAO.

Paul Byard has taken delivery of the two 12-inch (sorry, 30-cm) integrating spheres for the MODS calibration system and will be checking them for suitability. The mounting ports for the lamps don't actually look right, so Paul and Tom will be taking measurments to ascertain if rework will be required by the vendor to meet our spec.

Paul reports that Steve Miller at SOML has decided to disassemble the null lens assembly for coating to reduce problem reflections that are making the interference fringes low contrast. The disassembly was not fun. Paul will thus postpone going out to SOML to later in the season for acceptance testing of the blue camera corrector optics.

Mark Derwent reports that Indian Creek is continuing to make progress on fabrication of the collimator frame for MODS1 (this is the set of long tubes and the mounting "diamonds" for the collimator mirrors at the base of MODS). Some outside machined parts are being made, and they are on track for Mark and Tom to go out to Indian Creek in August with the 5-meter measuring rod and calibration parts to run through the final measurements before welding will proceed. So far we have been most pleased with their fine work.