[ATM] Re: Second Thoughts on Mirror Support

[djd521 at comcast.net (Don D'Egidio)]

Dale,

I can tell you many star tests were done, and not just by me. There does not appear to be any detrimental affects caused by using the RTV. When the mirror was placed on the RTV, it was supported by 3 short pieces of wood dowel while the RTV cured. After curing the wood pieces were removed allowing the RTV to support the mirror. Since the RTV conformed to the back of the mirror and the metal plate, it is being supported by all 9 points.

All this talk about the math for mounting systems has reminded me about a program on flight I once saw on Discovery Wings cable channel. It was about the lowly bumble bee where flight engineers did all the calculations about wing size and body weight and came to the conclusion it was impossible for it fly. But fly it does.

Don