After the thermal insulation of the fork has been finished, work has begun on the assembly of the reflector.
The centre piece for this construction phase is the central hub, a precision-manufactured steel element from which the steel and carbon-fibre rods of the panel support structure radiate outwards.
Its weight of 5 tons posed a logistics problem, as there are few helicopters capable of lifting such a mass in the thin air on 2500 m altitude, and the precision requirements excluded a ``cut into pieces and re-assemble later'' approach. The problem has been resolved during the commissioning tests for the reconstructed ``material transport only'' cable car.
After transporting a 7.5 tons beton block as a test mass, the central hub was brought up (this also allowed to verify the handling procedure for heavy loads), and has already taken its place in the centre of a growing reflector support structure.
The completion of the reflector (including the installation of the 176 panels) will take several months. According to the current planning, first light for Antenna 6 will be during this winter session.