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About

Dr. Tomonori Usuda is a leading figure in astronomical instrumentation and large-telescope structural engineering, with a career dedicated to enabling next-generation ground-based observatories. His primary research areas encompass the design and construction of extremely large telescope (ELT) structures, adaptive optics systems, and advanced astronomical instrumentation. Dr. Usuda’s most notable contribution is his pivotal role in the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) project, where he led the preliminary design of the Telescope Structure System (STR). His 2014 overview paper on this work, which has garnered 13 citations, details the critical engineering collaboration between the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation to develop the massive, precision-steerable structure required to support the TMT’s 30-meter primary mirror. Beyond this flagship achievement, his broader impact is reflected in his leadership of the Subaru Telescope’s instrument development and his contributions to the design of the TMT’s enclosure and facility. Dr. Usuda’s work is foundational to the realization of the TMT, ensuring that this revolutionary observatory will be built on a robust and reliable mechanical foundation, enabling transformative discoveries in astrophysics for decades to come.