SALT developed an automated CO_2 Mirror Cleaning System (MCS) for its 11 meter diameter segmented primary mirror. In this paper we report on the mechanical design of the system, the safety considerations taken into account given that the mechanism has to be lowered over the primary mirror for every cleaning cycle, the computerized control system and the CO_2 installation which feeds the cleaning wand with liquid CO_2. The paper also addresses the complexities experienced in providing high pressure liquid CO_2 for the effective operation of the cleaning wand as well as the safety precautions implemented to ensure the safety of staff members at all times. The performance results are also presented although the system is still being optimised in a trade off between cleaning efficiency, CO_2 consumption, the duration of a cleaning cycle and the cleaning frequency.
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