Multi-Application Solar Telescope: assembly, integration, and testing

The Multi-Application Solar Telescope (MAST) is a 50 cm diameter class telescope to be installed by AMOS on the Udaipur Solar Observatory's Island on the Lake Fatehsagar in India. Despite its limited size, the telescope is expected to be competitive with respect to worldwide large and costly projects thanks to its versatility regarding science goals and due to its demanding optomechanical and thermal specification. This paper describes the latest, on-going and forthcoming activities, including factory assembly, integration and testing, followed by on-site installation and commissioning activities. Emphasis is put on the highly demanding thermal control of the telescope, showing development and results for the specific techniques employed on this purpose. Other key features also depicted are the unusual tracking and alignment control solutions on such a specific science target like the Sun.